Back Russia’s war in Ukraine and lose aid, Finland tells African states

Newest Nato member says it is ‘morally wrong’ to pay for development of countries that support the conflict

Finland’s right-wing government will cut overseas aid payments to states that support Russia’s attack on Ukraine while limiting immigration and making it harder for foreign nationals to obtain residency or citizenship rights.

Petteri Orpo, leader of the main centre-right party, was sworn in as prime minister on Tuesday at the helm of a coalition whose agenda bears the strong imprint of the right-wing populist Finns party, his largest partner.

After four years under the left-leaning Sanna Marin the country is taking a marked step to the right on economic and social questions, with a mandate to rein in public spending, though its enthusiasm for Nato membership and its support for Ukraine remain unchanged.

The most eye-catching policies stem from the Finns party, which came close.