Australia, Finland urge Russia to withdraw its forces from Ukraine immediately

ANKARA (AA) - Australia and Finland demanded on Friday that Russia immediately withdraw its forces from Ukraine and reaffirmed their unwavering support for Kyiv's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his Finnish counterpart Sanna Marin said in a joint statement issued following their bilateral meeting in Sydney that Russia’s war in Ukraine has "undermined European and global security."

"The Prime Ministers condemned Russia’s war of aggression, a clear violation of international law and the United Nations Charter," said the statement posted on the Australian premier’s official website.

Marin arrived in Sydney after a trip to New Zealand.

The two premiers also rejected and unequivocally condemned Russia's "illegal annexation of Ukrainian territories."

"Russia immediately end its war and withdraw its forces from within Ukraine’s borders," the two leaders demanded.

They also discussed ways to strengthen bilateral trade relations and reaffirmed their commitment to completing a comprehensive and ambitious EU-Australia Trade Agreement as soon as possible.

Australia and the EU are expected to finalize a free trade agreement in 2023.

"Once concluded, a trade agreement between the European Union and Australia would herald a new era in EU-Australia relations and offer significant economic benefits to both sides. The Prime Ministers agreed that defending an open, free, fair and resilient multilateral rules-based trading system is a priority for both countries," the statement said.

They also agreed to work together to combat climate change and protect biodiversity, and they commended the historic progress made at the recently concluded 27th UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP27) in Sharm El-Sheik, Egypt, to develop funding arrangements to support the world's most climate vulnerable countries in addressing losses and damages associated with climate change.

- Finland seeks NATO protection

Earlier, Prime Minister Marin said her country sought NATO protection in the aftermath of Russia's attack on Ukraine.

"We want to make sure that we are under NATO Article Five, that we have that common shield also working for us," she said in an interview with ABC News.

"But we are also protection givers, we are not takers. We will enhance the NATO capabilities," she added.

Finland and Sweden applied to join NATO in May of this year, but no final decision has been made by the member countries.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid