Minister of Defence Häkkänen to attend NATO defence minister meeting

Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen will attend a meeting of NATO ministers of defence at NATO's Headquarters in Brussels on 13 to 14 June 2024. The strengthening of NATO's deterrence and defence and support for Ukraine are on the agenda.

The meeting of defence ministers will begin with NATO-Ukraine Council meeting, addressing Russia's war of aggression and support for Ukraine. The Council was launched at the Vilnius Summit in summer 2023 to advance political dialogue and to promote Ukraine's aspirations for membership in NATO, among other things.

- Our support for Ukraine is unwavering. Finland will support Ukraine for as long as Ukraine needs to fight for its freedom, says Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen.

On the second day of the meeting, the defence ministers of the member countries will discuss ways to strengthen the deterrence and defence of the Alliance. They will also meet with the Nuclear Planning Group (NPG).

- Finland is a strong provider of security and stability. We are committed to Alliance burden-sharing and we will ensure that NATO's deterrence and defence are further strengthened to respond to the changed security environment, Minister Häkkänen says.

A meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) will be held in connection with the defence minister meeting. The UDCG is a coalition of over 50 countries that coordinates the delivery of arms assistance to Ukraine under the leadership of the United States.

In addition, Minister Häkkänen will have a bilateral meeting with Poland's Minister of National Defence in Brussels.

Inquiries: Senior Adviser Samuli Puhakka on the defence minister meeting, tel. +358 295 140 089 and Senior Specialist Emma Virkkunen on communications related to the meetings, tel. +358 295 140 176.