Summary:
Helsingin Sanomat writes about the planned new US sanctions against Russia, which would impact i.a. the EU energy companies cooperating with Russia, e.g. on the Nord Stream II gas pipeline. According to Financial Times, Jean-Claude Juncker, the European Commission president, has proposed « possible countermeasures » against the US. According to an EU working document, the EU is concerned about the « detrimental political side effects » caused by new sanctions by the US. The sanctions are expected to affect also the bilateral meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Finnish President Sauli Niinistö by bringing the presidents’ interests closer together. Finland has been supporting Germany in advancing the pipeline project.

Summary:
The government will face challenges this autumn when the EU’s call for assistance to facilitate the refugee situation in Italy will be discussed. Minister of the Interior Paula Risikko and Foreign Minister Timo Soini agree on the fact that all EU countries will have to fulfill their responsibilities in the future. They refer to the 2015 agreement by which the EU countries agree on sharing the burden of Italy and Greece. The agreement has failed in every way. Foreign Minister Soini has already said that Finland cannot commit itself to new internal transfers of asylum seekers within the EU. According to him, all EU countries must first stick to their old promises. Both Soini and Risiko agree that it is most important to influence the roots of immigration.

Summary:
Helsingin Sanomat writes that the Brexit negotiations have started in Brussels. The biggest issue is how the Brits will regard the payment obligations of 100 billion euros. Foreign Minister Timo Soini became a sub-plot to Brexit news reporting when Bloomberg used a story about Brexit Minister Davis accidentally calling Brexit negotiator Barnier instead of Mr Soini as an example of the British government’s mess. Mr Soini underlines that Finland stands with the remaining EU member states when it comes to the negotiations. It has been assessed that the EU is much better prepared for the negotiations than Britain.

Summary:
The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent a formal note to Finland in mid-June in which it expressed its disappointment with Finnish consul Virpi Hanhikoski’s presence in the imprisonment trial of Dmitri Bogatshev, who is suspected of the smuggling of weapons. Experts wonder whether the timing of the note is related to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Finland. UPI director Teija Tiilikainen says that the timing raises questions, but that Putin’s agenda will become clear only later. The exchange of notes between foreign ministries is in itself an ordinary diplomatic exchange, though it is unusual to make them public. On Monday, Keijo Norvanto from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs commented on the note shortly to Ilta-Sanomat, saying the Ministry receives and handles hundreds of notes every year. Norvanto did not comment on how and when the note will be answered. Foreign Minister Timo Soini was not available for comment. The Finnish Foreign Ministry now holds a low profile on the issue.

Summary:
Foreign Minister Timo Soini commented on the situation of the 19-year old orphan Zaki, who has been deported to Afghanistan last week, at SuomiAreena. A woman in the audience asked Soini about what measures the authorities are taking to get the Afghan back to Finland as he is in danger in Afghanistan. Soini said he understands this plight. He reminded, however, that in Finland deportations are based on court decisions and that a minister cannot just interfere. Minister Kai Mykkänen commented at the same panel discussion that considers the meeting between presidents Trump and Putin at the G20 summit positive. The meeting had the potential to have dangerous elements. Mykkänen also assessed that Russia might be shifting its focus on the improvement of its economy after the foreign political disputes of recent years.

Summary:
Finland joined the British-led Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) today. Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini says there is no need to dramatise the matter but that the goal is to simply strengthen security. Mr Soini does not wish to speculate in what kinds of situations the troops could in the future be used but states that it is important that Finland is involved in extensive cooperation that it can benefit from in the form of training and new information.

Media:  Demokraatti.fi
Date: 30.6.2017
Journalist: Johannes Ijäs
Main source: Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini

Summary:
President Sauli Niinistö believes the European Union must strengthen itself so that it is not a pawn but has a clear and independent role. Mr Niinistö emphasises that geopolitical uncertainty has increased particularly between the United States and Russia, and the relation between the two countries seems to be disintegrating at a surprising speed. According to the president, Finland has been a driving force in EU defence cooperation.

Media:  Talouselämä
Date: 1.7.2017
Journalist: Katja Incoronato
Main source: President Sauli Niinistö

Summary:
Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini has appointed MP Jutta Urpilainen the Foreign Minister’s Special Representative on Mediation. Ms Urpilainen will focus on strengthening of the role of women and youth, while the regional focus of the assignment will be Africa.

Media:  Turun Sanomat
Date: 29.6.2017
Journalist: STT
Main source: –