Minister of Defence Häkkänen to attend meeting of UDCG, meeting of NATO Ministers of Defence and Munich Security Conference
Finland’s Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen will visit Brussels and attend the meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) on Wednesday 12 February and the meeting of NATO Ministers of Defence on Thursday 13 February. From Brussels, Minister Häkkänen will travel to Munich to attend the Munich Security Conference on 14–15 February.
“This is an important week of meetings for security in Europe. On Wednesday, the meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group will plan the future of our support for Ukraine. On Thursday, the meeting of NATO Ministers of Defence will have a strong agenda on deterrence and defence. We will also learn about the new US administration’s priorities and objectives for NATO. On Friday, we will continue our meetings and discussions with our Allies and partners at the Munich Security Conference,” says Minister of Defence Häkkänen.
UDCG meeting and Nordic and Baltic defence ministers’ meeting
Minister of Defence Häkkänen will attend the meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) in Brussels on Wednesday 12 February.
The meeting will discuss the situation in Ukraine and coordinate the provision of materiel assistance and training for Ukraine. UK Secretary of State for Defence John Healey will chair the meeting for the first time.
In Brussels, Minister Häkkänen will also attend the meeting of Nordic and Baltic defence ministers (NB8) on Thursday 13 February.
Meeting of NATO Ministers of Defence
Minister of Defence Häkkänen will attend the meeting of NATO Ministers of Defence at NATO Headquarters in Brussels on Thursday 13 February.
The day will begin with the meeting of the North Atlantic Council in Defence Ministers’ Session where the ministers will discuss NATO’s deterrence and defence, burden sharing and the defence industry and defence investments.
In the afternoon, the defence ministers will discuss Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and Allies’ support for Ukraine over an informal working lunch of the NATO–Ukraine Council. The Council was founded at the Vilnius Summit in July 2023 to advance political dialogue with Ukraine and to promote Ukraine’s aspirations for membership in NATO.
Munich Security Conference
From Brussels, Minister of Defence Häkkänen will travel to Munich to attend the international Munich Security Conference on 14–15 February 2025.
Minister Häkkänen will have several high-level bilateral meetings during the conference.
The Munich Security Conference brings together policymakers and experts in the field of security policy from around the world. The conference will be held for the 61st time.
Inquiries: Esko Salminen, Senior Specialist (Ukraine Defence Contact Group’s meeting), tel. +358 295 140 094, Samuli Puhakka, Senior Specialist (NATO Defence Ministers’ meeting), tel.
+358 295 140 089, Janne Kuusela, Director General (Munich Security Conference), tel. +358 295 140 300, and Emma Virkkunen, Senior Specialist (communications), tel. +358 295 140 176.