President and Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy discuss current situation in Ukraine, situations in Middle East and Syria and government report on changes in foreign and security policy environment

In their meeting on Friday 13 March, the President of the Republic and the Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy discussed the current situation in Ukraine and the need for Europe to continue its strong support to Ukraine while increasing pressure on Russia.

The president and the ministerial committee also discussed the current situation in the Middle East and the situation of Finns in the region, as well as the current situation in Syria and the effects of the closure of the al-Hol refugee camp.

The meeting included a discussion on the government report on changes in the foreign and security policy environment, which is currently under preparation.

The president and the ministerial committee also discussed Nordic cooperation and the regular JEF Leaders' Summit to be hosted by President of the Republic Alexander Stubb in Helsinki on Thursday 26 March 2026. Topics on the agenda for the summit include the JEF nations' support to Ukraine and the overall security situation in Europe.

Inquiries: Petri Hakkarainen, Director General, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, tel. +358 295 351 130, Ministry for Foreign Affairs; Otto Saxén, Deputy Director General, tel. +358 295 140 314, Ministry of Defence

The email addresses of the Finnish Government are in the format [email protected].