On Dec. 2, Finland’s Prime Minister Petteri Orpo told a joint press conference with Sweden’s Ulf Kristersson that the country cannot provide security guarantees to Ukraine, though it will offer assistance.
Prime Minister Orpo’s Statement
During the joint conference, Orpo said Finland has no capacity to grant security guarantees to Ukraine and added that the difference between aid and guarantees is huge. He also expressed willingness to help.
Limited Military Capacity
Former head of Finnish Intelligence Pekka Toveri noted that Finland’s military strength is insufficient to give guarantees. He explained that the country’s forces are large in wartime but limited during peace, making border protection a priority. With a 1,300‑km frontier with Russia, where Russia plans to deploy three times the forces it had in 2021, Finland sees its military presence in Ukraine as restricted.
Finland’s Role under the Coalition of Volunteers
Toveri added that security guarantees should come from the United States and major European powers. Finland participates in planning guarantees through the “Coalition of Volunteers” and will support them as decided later. He agreed with Orpo that a strong Ukrainian army is the best security guarantee and can be aided by training and funding Ukraine’s defense industry.
