Finland approves 24th military aid package to Ukraine worth $170M

LONDON

Finland on Friday approved the 24th military aid package to Ukraine worth €159 (about $170 million), bringing the Nordic country’s total support to Kyiv to around €2.2 billion ($2.4 billion).

Helsinki did not disclose the details of the military aid package, method of delivery, or schedule of its latest military materiel package, due to security concerns, the Finnish Defense Ministry said in a statement.

"Finland is committed to supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russia's unjustified attack. This is not only about Ukraine but ultimately about the right of all free people to exist.

“Finns have learned from our own history how important this issue is," Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen was quoted in the statement as saying.

As of April 2024, the Nordic country has also provided €239 million ($255 million) in humanitarian and financial support, according to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW Kiel), which tracks international aid for Ukraine.

The ministry also confirmed that Finland will participate in a joint European procurement of ammunition for Kyiv, which involves various European countries jointly acquiring defense materials to send to Ukrainian forces.

In addition, the Nordic country will join a so-called armor coalition led by Poland, Germany and Italy, the ministry said, adding that Helsinki will also take part in an information technology coalition led by Estonia and Luxembourg.

In April, Helsinki and Kyiv signed a 10-year security agreement, which President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called a "strong document that proves Finland's readiness to continue supporting Ukraine in the fight against Russian aggression."