DISINFO: Donetsk People’s Republic launches representative office in Helsinki
SUMMARY
The DPR Foreign Ministry added that the official opening ceremony had been attended by the Finland-Russia Friendship Society chairman Daria Skippari-Smirnov.
RESPONSE
The “Donetsk People’s Republic” is not recognized by Finland and therefore cannot have an embassy or other official representation in Finland. Neither are the separatist groups in eastern Ukraine recognized by the UN, the EU or the OSCE. A diplomatic mission can be founded only between countries that have established diplomatic relations and only by mutual consent. A Finnish source claims that it acts as the “Representation of the Donetsk People’s Republic” or the “Embassy of the Donetsk People’s Republic” in Helsinki. Finland emphasises the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine. Finland does not approve of the unilateral efforts to separate regions of Ukraine from the country itself. http://www.finland.org.ru/public/default.aspx?contentid=326873&contentlan=1&culture=fi-FI, www.stopfake.org/en/fake-donetsk-people-s-republic-office-opens-in-finland, Ria Novosti and Tass published both the disinformation about opening a representation of DPR and the debunk by the Finnish Foreign Ministry: ria.ru/world/20171208/1510491372.html, , www.vesti.ru/doc.html?id=2963523, Daria Skippari-Smirnov does not represent Finland-Russia Society but association RUFI that initiated an "Immortal Regiment" march on Victory Day May 9 in 2017 in Helsinki.