Finland, Ukraine sign defence, security deal

Finland and Ukraine on Wednesday signed an agreement on security cooperation and long-term support between the countries.

President Alexander Stubb and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed the deal in Kyiv on behalf of their respective countries during Stubb´s visit to Ukraine, said the President Office in a press release.

The 10-year agreement is a token of Finland’s long-term commitment to supporting Ukraine. It covers various sectors, including political support, support for Ukrainian defence and security, and support for reforming and reconstructing Ukraine.

Apart from Finland, Ukraine has signed security agreements with seven countries, namely Britain, Germany, France, Denmark, Canada, Italy, and the Netherlands.

Earlier on the day Stubb together with Speaker of the Parliament Jussi Halla-aho reached Ukraine on an official visit.

Stubb’s programme began with a visit to Hostomel airport, where Ukraine achieved significant combat success at the early stages of the war of aggression.

He met soldiers who had defended Hostomel airport. The programme also included a wreath-laying ceremony in the memory of the fallen Ukrainian soldiers at the Wall of Remembrance in Kyiv.

Stubb and Zelenskyy held a meeting and discussed, among other things, the current situation of the war of aggression that Russia launched more than two years ago, Finland’s support for Ukraine and the Ukrainian efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace.

In connection with the NATO summit last summer, the Nordic Countries issued a joint statement, declaring their commitment to supporting Ukraine and its security in the long term based on the G7 Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine issued earlier.

The previous presidential visit from Finland to Ukraine was made by President Sauli Niinistö in January 2023.