On 27–28 October, Ukraine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha paid a working visit to Finland, during which he held a series of important meetings with the country’s leadership, government officials and members of Parliament, addressed the 78th Session of the Nordic Council, and met with Finnish volunteers.

Meeting with Finland’s Minister of the Interior Mari Rantanen. The two sides discussed practical steps to further support Ukraine, particularly cooperation within the international Shelter Coalition and mobilising additional funding for the construction of protective shelters for Ukrainian children and civilians.

Talks with Finland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen. The discussions focused on continued international and defence support for Ukraine, strengthening Ukraine’s air defence capabilities and energy resilience, including Finland’s announced contribution of €5 million to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund.

The Ministers also discussed expanding the Shelter Coalition, increasing sanctions pressure on Russia, using frozen Russian assets for Ukraine’s benefit, advancing Ukraine’s European integration, and attracting Finnish investment for Ukraine’s reconstruction.

We are grateful for the agreement signed between Finnvera and the European Commission, which will enable €240 million in financing for Ukraine’s reconstruction.

During the meeting, Andrii Sybiha presented Elina Valtonen with the Order of Princess Olga  in recognition of her significant personal contribution to supporting Ukraine and strengthening Ukrainian-Finnish relations.

Trilateral meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Ukraine, Finland and Norway. Andrii Sybiha, Elina Valtonen and Espen Barth Eide discussed further coordination of diplomatic efforts and the implementation of agreements reached during President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s meetings with President of Finland Alexander Stubb and Prime Minister of Norway Jonas Gahr Støre in Oslo.

Following the talks, the three Ministers held a joint press conference addressing key issues related to the peace process, security guarantees and continued international support for Ukraine.

A meeting with President of Finland Alexander Stubb marked the beginning of the second day of the visit. Minister Sybiha thanked the Finnish President for his active engagement in international diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving a just peace and for Finland’s unwavering support for Ukraine.

 A highlight of the visit was Andrii Sybiha’s historic address to the 78th Plenary Session of the Nordic Council at the Parliament of Finland.

In his address, the Minister emphasised the importance of strengthening European unity, countering Russian aggression and deepening security cooperation between Ukraine and the Nordic countries.

Particular attention was paid to the prospects for establishing a Baltic–Black Sea security axis, Ukraine’s European and Euro-Atlantic integration, and opportunities to draw on Ukraine’s unique battlefield experience and defence technologies to strengthen collective security.

Meeting with Speaker of the Parliament of Finland Jussi Halla-aho. The two sides discussed strengthening the Ukrainian-Finnish partnership, developing interparliamentary cooperation and ensuring continued support for Ukraine in the face of Russia’s ongoing aggression.

Meeting with members of the Finnish Parliament, representatives of relevant parliamentary committees and the Parliamentary Friendship Group with Ukraine. The discussions focused on expanding interparliamentary contacts, supporting Ukraine’s European integration and advancing joint efforts to strengthen European security.

Meeting with the leadership of Finnish companies ICEYE and Nokia. The participants discussed the next steps towards the swift implementation of their joint initiative and the further development of cooperation in satellite communications.

To conclude his visit, Andrii Sybiha met with Finnish volunteer organisations at the Logistics Centre for Assistance to Ukraine. During the meeting, Serhii Shevchenko, Head of the Centre, and Vasyl Hutsul, Chairman of the Board of the Association of Ukrainians in Finland, outlined plans for continued humanitarian assistance to meet Ukraine’s needs.

The Minister expressed his sincere gratitude to representatives of Finnish volunteer organisations that actively collect and deliver essential aid to Ukraine, helping ensure that Ukrainians continue to receive vital supplies.

Andrii Sybiha thanked Ukrainian and Finnish volunteers for their tireless dedication, solidarity and continued assistance to Ukraine.

The Minister stressed that, with another difficult winter approaching and Russia continuing its deliberate attacks on Ukraine’s energy and civilian infrastructure, it is particularly important not only to maintain but also to increase humanitarian assistance to Ukraine.

He called on Finnish friends and partners to intensify their efforts to provide Ukrainians with essential equipment, energy-related supplies and other assistance that will help communities withstand the challenges of the coming winter.

Andrii Sybiha’s visit to Finland once again demonstrated the strength of the Ukrainian-Finnish partnership, our shared values and our mutual commitment to further practical cooperation for the security of Ukraine and Europe as a whole.