Olga
Dibrova
Ambassador
of Ukraine to Finland and Iceland
Over the past two years Ukraine and Finland emerged as close natural partners and allies. Winter war of the USSR against Finland in 1939-1940 and Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, started on the 24th of February 2022, are two examples of strong commitment of the Finnish and Ukrainian nations to freedom and “sisu” in different eras. In both cases the most critical factor that provides the foundation for Ukraine – Finland special closeness and friendship is social resilience.
In the times when we need to restore the rules-based international order, such societal resilience model could be an inspiration and a core idea.
In the 3rd year of illegal full-fledged Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine and in the 10th year of Russia’s brutal war against Ukraine we have witnessed crucial transformation of economic and security landscape. The international law and international institutions as well as basic principles of international coexistence is challenged by Russia and its proxies.
The positive news is that we have been able to keep focus on true goals of Russia and its elites, which includes deconstruction of democratic rules-based international order and division of the world into spheres of influence. It means reverting the world into XIX century model of balance of power. Ukraine with partners on all continents kept a firm unity, securing a massive resource to maintain the ability of Ukraine to survive and fight, as well as opening the doors of the European Union for Ukraine. Upcoming Global Peace Summit aimed at paving the way for implementation of all 10 points of the Peace Formula proposed by the President Zelenskyy in 2022 will be a crucial test to affirm commitment to true just and lasting peace by all members of the international community.
The bad news is that a just and lasting peace will be decided on the battlefield only. More than 500 missiles and drones fired by Russia against Ukrainian cities and towns in the end of December 2023 and in the first days of 2024 have clearly shown that Russia wouldn’t stop until it is fully deprived of the ability to continue violence. Over two years of full-scale war of aggression we have not been able to isolate Russia fully and swiftly, politically and economically from the international system. As a result it continues to sit at the table of the UN Security Council, sell fossil energy resources, and has access even to chips for producing high-precise warfare needed to prepare new waves of missile attacks against Ukraine. However, the most challenging finding for all of us is insufficiency of will or ability of the partners to invest in defense industries to the level which provides Ukraine promptly with necessary number of weapons and ammunition to secure effective liberation of all territories. It gave Russia in 2023 a real chance to prepare an effective defense, deprived Ukraine of ability to gain substantial success on the battlefield and save thousands of lives.
The cost of strategic mistakes and delays is unbearable. It provides Russia with strong incentive to work hard with the Western audiences and elites planting seeds of so-called war fatigue, and ignite powerful and constant anticipation of violence in the Middle East, Africa and other parts of the world aiming at distraction of the focus from Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
The eventual goal of Russia’s efforts is to fragmentize the world system, and undermine the trust of societies to the national governments and rule of law.
In this gloomy picture, one can see very bright glimpses of hope, generated by some of the closest Ukraine’s partners and allies, including Finland, which has proved to be a moral compass of Europe in the sense of solidarity with Ukrainians and a role model in creating comprehensive vision of long-term political and practical assistance for Ukraine, which has been enshrined in Petteri Orpo’s Government Program. Finland’s posture is based on outstanding support and solidarity with Ukraine in all parts of the Finnish society and unanimous political consensus on the critical necessity to provide Ukraine with everything, needed for full restoration of sovereignty and territorial integrity, effective post-war recovery and modernization, as well as full integration of Ukraine to the EU and NATO as a key prerequisite of a just and lasting peace in Europe.
Finland’s strategic and long-term approach to helping Ukraine is rooted in holistic resilience enshrined in the Finnish Comprehensive Security Model.
On the way to full restoration of Ukraine’s sovereignty and rebuilding a just and lasting peace in Europe, the main prerequisite of success is strong and comprehensive resilience of our societies, capable to maintain internal stability, rule of law and true transparent competitiveness based on commonly accepted international rules in all spheres. In this regard, Ukraine relies on the Finnish knowledge, experience and expertise for shaping together a new future, restoring security on the basis of the Peace Formula of President Zelenskyy as universal algorithm for a just and lasting international peace.