Finland and Norway to send arms to Ukraine
Finland and Norway said on Monday February 28 that they would send arms and ammunition to Ukraine. Finnish Defense Minister Antti Kaikkonen said 2,500 assault rifles, 150,000 ammunition, 1,500 anti-tank weapons and 70,000 food parcels would be delivered. “It’s a historic decision for Finland”, summed up the Prime Minister, Sanna Marin. The Norwegian government also announced that Oslo would send arms to Ukraine.
These decisions mark a turning point in the political lines of Finland, which remains a militarily non-aligned country, and of Norway, whose principle in force since the 1950s prevented the delivery of arms to countries at war that were not part of NATO. According to Mr. Kaikkonen, Germany’s decision to send arms “was particularly significant ».
Conversely, Hungary, whose Prime Minister, Viktor Orban, is close to Putin’s Russia, announced that it would not authorize the transfer of lethal weapons through its territory.
“We will not allow the transfer of lethal weapons through Hungarian territory”, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said on Facebook. This decision was taken to ensure the safety of Hungarians both in their country and on the border with Ukraine, the Hungarian foreign minister commented on Facebook.
“Our most important task is to guarantee the security of the country and the Hungarian population, therefore, we must not be involved in the war that is taking place next door”, he justified. On the other hand, the Hungarian borders will be open to Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war in their country.
