President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President of Finland Alexander Stubb signed an Agreement on security cooperation and long-term support.
With this document, Finland formalized its readiness to continue supporting Ukraine in the fight against Russian aggression, pledged to provide long-term military and financial assistance, and to step up cooperation with our country in the political, financial, humanitarian, and reform areas.
Finland will help Ukraine rebuild its energy sector, assess environmental damage, strengthen border and critical infrastructure protection, and provide medical treatment for Ukrainian soldiers. In addition, the document contains powerful blocks on sanctions, compensation for damages, and bringing the aggressor to justice.
The agreement also clearly demonstrates Finland's support for Ukraine's future membership in the EU and NATO.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Alexander Stubb for a new, 23rd aid package to our country worth €188 million. Thus, the total amount of support provided by Finland since the beginning of the full-scale aggression is close to €2 billion.
"I am grateful for the guarantees of continued military and financial support for our country by Finland. As of now, we have already received €400 million in military aid for 2024. And this amount will increase significantly by the end of this year due to at least two more aid packages," the President of Ukraine noted.
In addition, Finland is preparing a four-year plan to support Ukraine. The budget for development and reconstruction is €290 million.
The agreement is valid for ten years and enhances support and protection of Ukraine on its path to NATO and EU membership.
The agreement with Finland was signed in pursuance of the Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine of July 12, 2023, which was joined by 32 states in total. As of today, our country has already concluded eight bilateral security agreements: with the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Denmark, Canada, Italy, the Netherlands, and Finland.
