Minister of Defence Häkkänen to attend meetings of defence ministers in Brussels
Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen will attend the meeting of EU defence ministers and the meeting of NATO defence ministers, as well as the meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group and the defence ministers’ meeting of the Nordic Defence Cooperation. After these meetings in Brussels, Minister Häkkänen will continue to the Munich Security Conference.
“This is an important week for Europe’s security and defence. Both in the EU and in NATO we will discuss the next steps in military support for Ukraine and receive an up‑to‑date assessment of the situation in the war. At NATO we will also address burden‑sharing and the development of air and missile defence. At the end of the week, I will meet allies and partners at the Munich Security Conference,” says Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen.
EU Foreign Affairs Council with defence ministers
Minister Häkkänen will attend the meeting of EU defence ministers on Wednesday 11 February 2026. Topics on the agenda include the EU’s military support for Ukraine, defence innovation and the outlook for Europe’s defence readiness in 2026.
Meeting of NATO defence ministers
Minister Häkkänen will attend the meeting of NATO Ministers of Defence at NATO Headquarters on Thursday 12 February.
The agenda includes strengthening NATO’s deterrence and defence, progress towards the defence spending commitment, and the development of air and missile defence.
The ministers will also discuss Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and Allies’ support for Ukraine over an official working lunch of the NATO–Ukraine Council. The NATO–Ukraine Council was established at the Vilnius Summit in July 2023 to promote political dialogue and support Ukraine’s aspirations for NATO membership.
UDCG meeting and NORDEFCO defence ministers’ meeting
Minister Häkkänen will attend the meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) on Thursday 12 February.
The participants will address the situation in Ukraine and coordinate the materiel and training support to be provided to Ukraine. The meeting will be hosted by UK Secretary of State for Defence John Healey and German Minister of Defence Boris Pistorius.
Minister Häkkänen will also attend a defence ministers’ meeting of the Nordic Defence Cooperation (NORDEFCO) on Thursday 12 February. The meeting will focus on current security and defence issues.
Munich Security Conference
From Brussels, Minister Häkkänen will travel to Munich to attend the international Munich Security Conference on 13 and 14 February 2026.
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. This year’s conference will be held for the 62nd time.
Inquiries:
- Eemeli Heikkilä, Senior Specialist (EU Foreign Affairs Council with defence ministers), tel. +358 295 140 020
- Alex Santaholma, Senior Specialist (Meeting of NATO Ministers of Defence), tel. +358 295 140 028
- Esko Salminen, Senior Specialist (Ukraine Defense Contact Group's meeting), tel. +358 295 140 094
- Tiina Benredjem, Senior Specialist (NORDEFCO defence ministers’ meeting), tel. +358 295 140 009
- Karoliina Honkanen, Director of Unit (Munich Security Conference), tel. +358 295 140 354
- Emma Virkkunen, Senior Specialist (Communications), tel. +358 295 140 176