Finnish PM vows to strengthen national defense

HELSINKI - Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo on Wednesday underlined the importance of strengthening Finland's own defense and security while pledging support for Ukraine.

"Finland carries its responsibility for Europe's security by supporting Ukraine. At the same time, Finland takes care of its own security, our own border," the prime minister told the parliament.

Orpo recalled that Finland's approach combines international responsibility with domestic preparedness. The government's 2026 budget will include 6 billion euros (7.02 billion US dollars) in new procurement authorizations to modernize the armed forces, while defense spending is set to rise to at least 3 percent of its gross domestic product by 2029.

In the European Commission's latest proposal, 1.6 billion euros in funding has been earmarked for Finland's border security in the next multiannual budget, more than a billion euros higher than in the previous period, Orpo said.

Orpo said that Finland has so far provided Ukraine with 29 packages of defense material assistance in addition to training and civilian support, pledging further efforts in European discussions on long-term security arrangements for Ukraine.