On September 12, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Yevhen Perebyinis met with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Finland Pasi Rajala.

During the meeting, the parties discussed the status of the negotiation process regarding Ukraine's accession to the European Union. The Deputy Minister informed the interlocutor about the completion of the preparatory work within the framework of frontloading for the opening of negotiation clusters 1 and 6 and emphasized the need to open the remaining clusters in September-October of this year.

Pasi Rajala confirmed Finland's readiness to continue to comprehensively support Ukraine's European path.

The parties paid special attention to the situation in the Black Sea. In particular, they discussed Russia's attacks on civilian shipping and ensuring the stable functioning of the Ukrainian Sea Corridor.

Great attention was also paid to the sanctions policy towards Russia. Yevhen Perebyinis emphasized the need for the speedy preparation of the 22nd package of EU sanctions, as well as the full use of immobilized Russian assets for the benefit of Ukraine.

The Deputy Minister also noted that since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Russia has damaged more than 490 locomotives, which significantly complicates the functioning of Ukrainian railways and requires the involvement of additional broad-gauge locomotives to provide alternative routes.

In turn, Pasi Rajala informed about Finland's readiness to consider the possibility of making a contribution to the Transport Industry Support Fund of Ukraine.

At the end of the meeting, Yevhen Perebyinis thanked Finland for its leadership in the Civil Protection Shelter Coalition and its significant contribution to strengthening the protection of the Ukrainian civilian population.