Ukraine, Finland sign long-term support, security agreement

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - Ukraine and Finland signed a long-term support and security agreement, as the visiting Finnish president met with his Ukrainian counterpart in the capital Kyiv on Wednesday.

“Today we signed a bilateral security agreement between Ukraine and Finland. This is a comprehensive document that establishes cooperation for 10 years in all important areas,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said at a joint press conference with his Finnish counterpart Alexander Stubb.

Expressing that both countries must guarantee people's safety against “Russian terror,” Zelenskyy said that he and Stubb paid special attention to security issues during their meeting.

Zelenskyy went on to express his gratitude to Finland for the help it has provided to Kyiv since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war in February 2022.

Stubb, for his part, announced Finland’s 23rd aid package for Ukraine.

“The government made the decision last week. It's €188 million, and it's mostly military aid, but there are also air defense systems and large-caliber artillery ammunition, among other things. This is our support for Ukraine," Stubb said.

He further said that Finland has provided a total of €2 billion in military aid and €700,000 in humanitarian aid thus far, indicating that the 23rd package helps to meet Ukraine’s short-term needs.

Since January, Ukraine, where Russia launched a "special military operation" two years ago, has signed deals with the UK, Germany, France, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, and Canada to further deepen defense cooperation and support.

The security agreements are aimed at sending a message of long-term solidarity as Ukraine is currently said to be facing low ammunition supplies and a shortage of personnel.