Ukrainian soldier on the contact line in Donetsk regionHELSINKI, Feb 27The Finnish government will send body armor, helmets and allow the supply of field guns to Ukraine, the country's Cabinet of Ministers said on Sunday. purchased in Finland for re-export to Ukraine,» the message reads.In Slovakia, a state of emergency was introduced due to the influx of refugees from UkraineFinland supports the initiative of the EU High Representative to use the European Peace Fund to provide assistance to Ukraine, including with regard to military equipment. «In addition, at the beginning of the week, Finland will send humanitarian material assistance to Ukraine through the EU civil protection mechanism. Assistance includes, in particular, medical equipment. In the coming weeks, additional material assistance will be collected and delivered,» the Cabinet clarifies. Earlier (February 17 and 24), Finland had already decided to provide new financial assistance to Ukraine in the total amount 14 million euros, of which 8.2 million euros are humanitarian aid, and 5.8 million euros are funds for the development of cooperation.The Netherlands has sent Ukraine 50 anti-tank grenade launchers. The Cabinet's message also contains a «strong condemnation» of military operations in Ukraine and support for «independence, sovereignty, self-determination and territorial integrity» of this country. Russia launched a military operation to demilitarize Ukraine early Thursday morning, February 24. In a televised address to the Russians, President Vladimir Putin said that circumstances “require decisive and immediate action from us, the people’s republics of Donbass have asked for help.” According to the Russian leader, the entire responsibility for the bloodshed will be on the conscience of the ruling regime in Ukraine. He urged the Ukrainian military not to carry out the criminal orders of the Ukrainian authorities, to lay down their arms and go home. Later, the Russian Defense Ministry stressed that the Russian Armed Forces do not inflict any strikes on the cities of Ukraine: military infrastructure is disabled by high-precision means. The civilian population, according to the department, is not in danger. Published: Ekaterina Zaitseva
