Zakharova commented on the Finnish Foreign Ministry's memo for those wishing to join the AFU

Judging by the message from the Finnish Foreign Ministry for citizens of the country who want to join the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU), Helsinki has learned nothing and realized nothing, the Finnish authorities do not feel sorry for their own citizens. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova pointed this out on the sidelines of the Middle East conference of the Valdai International Discussion Club.

"We remember how after mercenaries were sent from countries to the Ukrainian conflict zone, these same countries shouted and screamed: 'Provide information about what happened to them there'." Not only that, the population of these countries, when they realized what was happening, became extremely indignant, but it was already too late. It is amazing that in the few years since 2022, Helsinki has learned nothing and realized nothing. Maybe we should look at the experience of Britain, Australia. <...> But most importantly, most surprisingly: it turns out that it is not sorry for its own citizens," she said.

Zakharova noted that such an instruction raises questions that the Finnish authorities should ask the citizens themselves.

The day before, the official website of the Finnish Foreign Ministry published an instruction for citizens wishing to participate in hostilities on the side of Ukraine as mercenaries. The message noted that the agency does not recommend and does not encourage the travel of "volunteers" to Ukraine, but at the same time emphasized that such activities are not prohibited by the country's legislation.

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