WARSAW, Poland — Finland has declared a new military aid package for Ukraine, which is valued at approximately 200 million euros ($217 million), along with a promise to enhance defense collaboration with Kyiv.
The package, primarily composed of artillery ammunition that Ukraine currently needs urgently, represents Finland’s ongoing support for Ukraine as tensions with Russia persist. This announcement came from Finland’s Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen, during the signing of a memorandum of understanding with Ukraine’s Defense Minister, Rustem Umerov.
While no further details of the aid package have been disclosed by Finland’s Defense Ministry, Häkkänen emphasized Finland’s commitment to assisting Ukraine, emphasizing shared perspectives on the potential Russian threat based on historical contexts. The Finnish Defense Ministry noted that closer cooperation would also focus on various aspects, including information sharing, research and innovation, the production of ammunition, and joint defense industry ventures between Finland and Ukraine.
Häkkänen made it clear that the cooperation is mutually beneficial. “Three years of conflict with Russia have transformed Ukraine’s military into one of Europe’s strongest. Moreover, the country now possesses invaluable experience in self-defense tactics against Russia. As Finland develops its own defense strategies, it is essential to heed Ukraine’s experiences and apply the lessons they’ve learned,” he explained.
This new support marks a significant increment in Finland’s total material assistance to Ukraine, boosting it to 3.3 billion euros (close to $3.6 billion). This continued aid symbolizes Finland’s steadfast alliance with Ukraine in the face of ongoing geopolitical tensions in the region.
