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Prime ministers of Finland and Denmark call for more arms assistance to Ukraine and highlight importance of strengthening European defence industry

Government Communications Department
Publication date 6.5.2024 15.33
Press release

Support for Ukraine and the threat posed by Russia were the main topics of discussion when Prime Minister Petteri Orpo and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen met in Copenhagen on Monday 6 May.

Support for Ukraine and the threat posed by Russia were the main topics of discussion when Prime Minister Petteri Orpo and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen met in Copenhagen on Monday 6 May.

“Our discussion showed once again how like-minded our countries are. We both underlined the need to provide more weapons to Ukraine and to do so quickly. We both consider it very important to strengthen the European defence industry and speed up the production of ammunition,” Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Frederiksen after the meeting.

One of the key themes of the discussions was security in the Baltic Sea region and Nordic defence and security cooperation, including defence industry cooperation.

“The security situation in the Baltic Sea has changed significantly since Russia launched its war of aggression in Ukraine. Cooperation between Finland and Denmark is very important in preparing for different scenarios and strengthening our resilience, especially when it comes to ensuring security of supply and safeguarding critical infrastructure,” said Prime Minister Orpo.
 
The prime ministers also discussed topical EU issues, such as the programme for the next European Commission and the themes of the Danish Presidency of the Council of the EU, which will begin in July 2025.

After the bilateral meeting, the prime ministers took part in an event celebrating the reopening of the Embassy of Finland in Copenhagen after two years of renovation. 

Inquiries: Marja Koskela, Special Adviser (International Affairs), tel. +358 295 160978, Tuomas Tikkanen, Special Adviser (EU Affairs), tel. +358 40 523 5768 and Anne Sjöholm, Head of Communications for EU Affairs, tel. +358 40 537 0733, Prime Minister’s Office