Finland Deepens Support for Ukraine,โข Prioritizes Own Border Security
Helsinki, Finland – Finland is actively bolstering Ukraine’s defense capabilities while together โreinforcing its own security along โits 1,300km border with Russia, according to statements madeโ by Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo and Defense Minister Antti โฃHakkanen. Finland hasโ been providing defense andโฃ training assistance to the Ukrainian army since the beginningโ of theโฃ conflict, and is โa key member of the “Coalition of Volunteers” – a group of countries supporting Ukraine led by Great Britain and France – since February of โthis year.
Orpo emphasized Finland’s existing commitment, stating, “He also โฃreminded that Finland has been politically and militarily involved in the โขbeginning of Ukraine’s โdefense war through systematic delivery โฃof defense and training assistance for the Ukrainian army.”
Regarding potential security guarantees for Ukraine, Orpo stated the focus remains onโข strengthening Ukraine’s existing defenses. He directly โฃaddressed Russian objections to โWestern troops in Ukraine, responding, “- Russia claims that โขit doesโ not accept Westernโค troops in Ukraine. In response,โข we can say โขthat we do not accept Russian troops in Ukraine.” Heโฃ further indicated thatโฃ increasedโฃ US involvement in Ukraine’s security is highly โlikely ifโข Russia does not engage in โคthe peace โฃprocess.
Defense Ministerโ Hakkanen highlighted the unique position Finland holds,stating,”Western allies understand thatโ Finland has over 1300 km of a common border with Russia and priority isโค its protection as to a millimeter.” He โconfirmed that โขthis border security concern will be a key factor in determining any securityโข guarantees offered, with various options currentlyโข under review. The Finnish government maintains that its primary military objective remains the defense of its own territory.