Finland’s Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen. Photo: Markku Ulander / Lehtikuva
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Finland’s Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said Ukraine must continue its anti-corruption reforms if it hopes to advance towards European Union membership.
Speaking during an official visit to France, Valtonen told Yle that a bill passed by Ukraine’s parliament earlier this week had raised serious concerns in Finland and across the EU. The legislation would reduce the independence of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO).
The bill, passed quickly and without broad consultation, has prompted a request for clarification from Brussels.
“I contacted Ukrainian officials as soon as I learned about the bill,” Valtonen said. “This isn’t just about EU accession. It’s about the direction Ukraine is heading, one its citizens have worked and sacrificed for.”
The minister said that ongoing reforms must continue and that Finland stands ready to support them.
She described EU membership as a potential outcome but not the sole purpose of reforms. “A strong market economy, equal treatment under the law, and a working democratic system are essential,” she said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded to the criticism on Thursday by announcing that he had sent a revised version of the bill to parliament. He said the updated proposal would preserve the independence of the country’s anti-corruption agencies, though the new draft has not yet been made public.
“We will review the updated proposal once it’s available,” Valtonen added.
Ukraine’s bill has sparked protests and strong reactions within the country. Critics said the measure undermines years of progress in tackling corruption. The original bill was passed with limited debate, raising concerns among both Ukrainian civil society and international observers.
EU leaders have repeatedly said that anti-corruption reforms are central to Ukraine’s candidate status, which was granted in 2022. In addition to military support, EU institutions have provided financial and technical assistance for domestic reforms.
The European Commission is scheduled to publish its next assessment of Ukraine’s progress later this year.
Meanwhile, peace efforts between Ukraine and Russia remain stalled. A brief meeting between the two sides in Turkey earlier this month produced no significant outcome.
Valtonen said the results were “unsurprising,” given Russia’s refusal to agree to a full ceasefire. She welcomed the latest EU sanctions on Russia and said continued international pressure remains crucial.
Ukraine has suggested a summit between heads of state could take place before the end of August. Russia has said such a meeting would only be appropriate for signing a final agreement, not further talks.
“If the summit goes ahead, Finland would support it,” Valtonen said.
She also reaffirmed Finland’s backing for the US aid package currently stalled in Washington and noted that military and humanitarian support must continue regardless of the pace of diplomatic developments.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
