Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
Press Release 47/2018
26 November 2018
The Finnish government is monitoring the situation in the Kerch Straits closely, and I have held discussions on this matter with Prime Minister Juha Sipilä and Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini. In order to de-escalate tensions in the area, Russia must allow freedom of passage through the Kerch Straits in line with its international commitments and take action to release the Ukrainian vessels and their crews.
The region has remained in a state of instability for some time, and the risk of an escalation in tensions is high. It is vitally important that the international community responds to these events without delay. An emergency meeting of the UN Security Council is needed to stabilise the situation. An independent international enquiry into these events will also be necessary.