Germany, Finland pledge more help for Ukraine

BERLIN (AA) - Germany and Finland on Wednesday promised more help for Ukraine to force Russia to end its war.

Speaking at a joint news conference in Berlin with Finland’s Prime Minister Sanna Marin, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Western countries will provide more humanitarian, financial and military aid for Ukraine in the coming days.

“We are trying to strengthen Ukraine’s negotiating position in talks with Russia,” Scholz said and praised the Ukrainian people’s bravery in the face of Russia’s military aggression.

“In the end, it must be for the Ukrainians to decide, whether they would accept the results of these talks or not. It’s not for us to decide,” he stressed.

Finland’s premier also expressed support for the ongoing diplomatic efforts, but also called for harsher measures to increase pressure on Moscow.

“It’s a fact that we’re financing Russia’s war against Ukraine, with buying fossil fuels from Russia. And this needs to stop, as soon as possible,” she said.

Despite weeks of diplomatic efforts for a cease-fire between Moscow and Kyiv, Russian troops continued to shell encircled cities on Wednesday, according to Ukrainian officials.

At least 726 civilians have been killed and 1,174 injured in Ukraine since the beginning of the war, and over 3 million people have fled to neighboring countries, according to UN estimates.