Ukraine and Finland have signed a Memorandum of Defence Cooperation, with the announcement of the 28th Assistance Package

Ukraine and Finland are expanding strategic defense collaboration.

While on an official visit to Helsinki, Ukraine’s Defence Minister Rustem Umerov and his Finnish counterpart Antti Häkkänen signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Defense Cooperation between Ministries of Defence and Armed Forces of both nations.

The document outlines the key areas of bilateral cooperation and establishes joint actions to strengthen Ukraine's defense capabilities and enhance European security.

Key provisions of the Memorandum:

• Deepening strategic dialogue between defense agencies
• Information exchange at strategic, operational, and tactical levels
• Strengthening defense capabilities and operational interoperability
• Developing cooperation in defense technologies, research, and innovation
• Expanding ammunition production and defense-industrial projects in Ukraine and Finland

“Finland is a reliable partner making a significant contribution to the security of not only Ukraine but all of Europe. I am grateful to the Finnish government and people, as well as my colleague Antti Häkkänen, for their strategic vision and support,” Rustem Umerov emphasized.

The Memorandum is grounded in the Agreement on Security Cooperation and Long-Term Support, signed in Kyiv on April 3, 2024, by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President of Finland Alexander Stubb.

Furthermore, the 28th Military Assistance Package to Ukraine, valued at €200 million, was announced during the visit.

The Finnish government has also initiated a €660 million support program, through which military equipment for Ukraine will be procured directly from Finland's defense industry.