President Alexander Stubb downplayed expectations just ahead of the Ukraine peace summit in Switzerland on Saturday evening.
"I'm looking forward to what the next 24 hours will bring. We shouldn't expect solutions here, but a step nonetheless,” Stubb said. He spoke to reporters early Saturday evening, just before the meeting began.
"It’s very important that when we start promoting peace, it takes place on Ukraine's terms, based on international rules, and that that peace is sustainable and fair from Ukraine's point of view," he added, as reported by the tabloid Ilta-Sanomat.
When asked by the paper about the participation of developing world countries at the meeting, Stubb replied that "the third world must always be reminded that this is a colonial war," the paper reported.
According to the president’s office, the discussions "will focus on the short and long-term milestones of the peace process and who should be involved in the different steps of the process".
Stubb will also hold one-on-one meetings with various other leaders on the sidelines of the conference, which was called by Ukraine.
Representatives from 92 countries are attending the two-day meeting at a luxury mountain resort near Lucerne. They include more than 50 heads of state or government, as well as US Vice President Kamala Harris.
Nordics in Norway
Stubb is expected back in Finland late Sunday. On Wednesday, he travels to Bodø, northern Norway for a two-day meeting with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.
Stubb’s office said the meeting will focus on deepening cooperation between Finland, Sweden and Norway as members of Nato, as well as security situation in the Nordic, Baltic Sea and Arctic regions.
Also attending will be Finnish Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen (NCP) and his Norwegian and Swedish counterparts.
Stubb met with Støre in northern Norway immediately after taking office in early March.
12.34pm: Replaced main photo.
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