News

Finland sends latest materiel aid package to Ukraine

The latest package is the 18th sent by Finland to Ukraine since Russia's invasion in February 2022, with their combined value coming in at about 1.3 billion euros.

Kulkueessa on paljon auringonkukkia ja Ukrainan lippuja.
Ukrainian independence day celebrations in Helsinki on 24 August 2023. Image: Lauri Karo / Yle
  • Yle News

Finland is sending additional defense equipment aid to Ukraine, with the value of the latest aid package set at approximately 94 million euros, the government said in a press release on Friday.

"The support of Finland and our allies to Ukraine remains unwavering. The core issue in terms of the future security order in Europe and in Finland is to be able to curb Russia's aggression against Ukraine," said Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen (NCP) in a government statement on Friday.

Altogether, Finland has delivered 18 defence materiel packages to Ukraine, with their combined value coming in at about 1.3 billion euros.

The government said that for safety reasons, it was not providing details on the shipment's contents or delivery schedule.

Reconstruction opportunities

Earlier this week Prime Minister Petteri Orpo (NCP) visited Ukraine, where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the country was interested in manufacturing Finnish armoured vehicles.

The Finnish PM has also encouraged Finnish companies to start preparing for Ukraine's reconstruction. This autumn, Ukraine is staging a trade fair for defence equipment manufacturers.

"I encourage all Finnish defense industry stakeholders to seize the opportunity and participate," Orpo said this week.

The government plans to appoint a civil servant to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs to coordinate Finland's participation in the reconstruction.

"Reconstruction will be a massive project—the second-largest such project since World War II," he said, adding that reconstruction presents a significant business opportunity for Finnish companies.