Zelenskyy and OSCE chairman talked about support for Ukraine

On Wednesday, January 8, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland Elina Valtonen. The parties discussed important issues related to security, support for Ukraine and further actions in countering Russian aggression.

Zelenskyy reported this via his Telegram.

Ukraine is a priority in Finland's OSCE Chairmanship

The President expressed gratitude for the fact that Elina Valtonen had made her first visit to Ukraine as OSCE Chairperson-in-Office.

Ukraine is grateful for the support of the "peace through strength" approach and for the high priority of the Ukrainian issue during the Finnish OSCE Chairmanship.

The meeting focused on the OSCE's ability to protect the rights of Ukrainian children, support the military, and help release Ukrainian citizens illegally detained in Russian prisons.

They also emphasized the need to strengthen sanctions against Russia's "shadow fleet" and drew attention to the threat this fleet poses to the environment, as well as its role in undermining price restrictions on Russian oil and financing the war.

The parties discussed the possibility of expanding the role of the OSCE in protecting lives, ensuring peace and countering Russian aggression.

The President emphasized that together with international partners, significant progress could be achieved in protecting lives and bringing lasting peace to Ukraine. 

As a reminder, Zelenskyy said today that he would attend a meeting of the Contact Group on Ukraine's Defense in the Ramstein format in Germany.

Zelenskyy also spoke with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, about the return of Ukrainian children forcibly displaced by Russia.