President Toomas Hendrik Ilves participated today, March 13, in a memorial service in St. Michael’s Swedish Parish of Tallinn, which was dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the end of the Winter War and in commemoration of the sacrifices that Finland had to make while fending off the attack of the Soviet Union.

“Estonia feels proud of Finland and the Finns who decided to fight for their homeland, freedom, and democracy in 1939 and 1940. They were brave, suffered heavy losses, yet defended the independence of Finland with dignity. Such a decisive dignity sets an example to anyone who must make a similar choice some day – either to fight for their country or to surrender,” said the Estonian Head of State. “We owe our respect and gratitude to all the victims of the Winter War and the Finnish people as a whole.”

(Ref) Office of the President

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