Finland to send more defence materiel package to Ukraine: PM

Prime Minister Petteri Orpo on Wednesday said that the Finnish government was preparing to send Finland’s 18th defence materiel package to Ukraine, said a government press release.

“We will make a decision and let you know more about it later this week,” said the Premier at a joint press conference after holding a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv.

They discussed the current state of Russia’s illegal war of aggression, Finland’s political and material support to Ukraine, and Ukraine’s efforts to achieve a just peace. They also discussed reconstruction, Finland’s development cooperation in Ukraine and Ukraine’s aspirations for EU and NATO membership.

Orpo said that together with its partners, Finland supports Ukraine’s aspirations for EU and NATO membership.

“The people of Ukraine are fighting for their freedom and for our shared values. Ukraine belongs in the West – in the European Union and NATO,” he said.

Finland is currently drawing up a reconstruction plan for Ukraine in cooperation with the public and private sectors.

“Our reconstruction efforts will make use of Finland’s expertise, especially in the green transition, education, digitalisation and the energy sector,” said the Prime Minister.

In his meeting with Zelenskyy, Orpo stressed that Finland’s strong and unwavering support to Ukraine would continue.

“Finland has strongly condemned Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine since the very beginning. Finland’s support for Ukraine and its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity will continue over the long term,” Orpo said.

Finland’s overall support to Ukraine is over EUR 1.7 billion. Finland has sent Ukraine 17 packages of defence materiel with a total value of EUR 1.2 billion.

Ukraine is Finland’s largest partner country in development cooperation, and Finland is preparing for the country’s reconstruction.

Orpo visited the village of Irpin, where he took a tour of housing units built through a Finnish project. The temporary family housing units donated by Finland are providing housing for around 200 Ukrainians who have lost their homes.