Finland and Denmark are looking to strengthen their defence cooperation, as confirmed by Finnish Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen and Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen. During a visit to southeastern Finland’s Karelia Brigade in Kouvola, the two ministers discussed potential areas for closer collaboration, including joint military exercises and procurement of defence equipment. The visit also included a stop at the Vaalimaa border crossing checkpoint, underscoring the importance of border security.
Denmark has been a NATO member since its founding in 1949, while Finland joined the alliance in 2022. Both countries have made substantial defence investments in recent years, with Finland allocating more than 10 billion euros to upgrade its land defence forces and infrastructure over the next decade. Häkkänen emphasized that Finland’s cooperation with the United States in defence procurement remains strong and will continue under the current US administration.
Denmark, meanwhile, has expressed openness to Finland selling icebreakers to the United States, following comments from President Donald Trump about his interest in procuring them. This potential deal could further strengthen Finland’s role as a key defence and trade partner.
As discussions around Ukraine’s security continue, Finland remains cautious about deploying troops in an eventual peacekeeping operation. Häkkänen reiterated that Finland’s geographical location on the Russian border necessitates a careful approach. While Finland supports credible peacekeeping arrangements, it would not be among the first countries to commit troops. European NATO members have already begun planning for troop deployments to secure an eventual ceasefire, with the United Kingdom announcing its readiness to send personnel and aircraft to Ukraine.
Over the weekend, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo stressed that Europe must take greater responsibility for its own security. His statement came after a tense exchange between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House, an event that Finnish President Alexander Stubb described as a win for Vladimir Putin. Stubb also emphasized the importance of increasing pressure on Russia to deter further aggression.
The European Council is set to hold an extraordinary meeting, where crucial decisions regarding additional support for Ukraine are expected. Häkkänen highlighted the urgency of the situation, stating that this is the last moment for European nations to act decisively. Despite concerns over US support, he remains hopeful that assistance for Ukraine will continue.
The broader geopolitical landscape remains uncertain, with Russia increasing its defence capabilities and shifting to a war economy. Before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia’s annual defence budget was below 95 billion euros, while the European Union collectively spends around 290 billion euros on defence. However, Russia’s growing military force of 700,000 personnel, along with its unpredictable leadership, poses a significant and evolving challenge.
As Finland continues to adapt to shifting global security dynamics, its focus remains on strengthening cooperation with allies, investing in defence, and preparing for the uncertainties that lie ahead.
