Finland, Ukraine sign defence cooperation MoU, announce €200M aid package

Finland has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ukraine to enhance defense cooperation, as announced by Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen during a meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart Rustem Umerov in Helsinki. The MoU aims to strengthen collaboration in various areas including defense materiel, information exchange, and ammunition production. Additionally, Finland unveiled a new military aid package worth approximately EUR 200 million, which is pending government approval, raising the total value of Finland's assistance to Ukraine to EUR 3.3 billion. Häkkänen emphasized the mutual benefits of the partnership, highlighting the shared historical context regarding the Russian threat. He noted that Ukraine's military experience over the past three years has significantly informed Finland's own defense strategies. The aid package will primarily focus on artillery ammunition, addressing urgent needs in the Ukrainian defense sector.