Finland, Ukraine Sign Long-term Security Agreement

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky and Finnish counterpart Alexander Stubb inked a long-term security agreement in Kyiv on April 3.

President Zelensky hailed the pact as a testament to Finland's commitment to bolstering Ukraine against Russian aggression. This agreement marks Finland as the latest addition to Ukraine's roster of security partners, joining the ranks of the U.K., Germany, France, Denmark, Canada, Italy, and the Netherlands. These bilateral agreements, stemming from a pledge by the Group of Seven (G7) last July, signify a united front against external threats.

Under the terms of the agreement, Helsinki has pledged enduring military and financial support to Ukraine, underscoring a multifaceted collaboration encompassing politics, finance, reform, and humanitarian efforts. Finland's involvement extends to the reconstruction of Ukraine's energy sector, environmental assessment, and fortification of border and critical infrastructure.

Finland has also announced its intention to dispatch additional defense materiel to Ukraine, marking the 23rd such delivery. The replacement of assets within this package is estimated to cost Finland approximately €188 million, bringing the total value of defense materiel provided to Ukraine by Finland to approximately €2 billion, according to Minister of Defense Antti Häkkänen.