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20.5.2025 | In its 17th sanctions package, the European Union continues to respond to Russia’s ongoing war of aggression in Ukraine, to Russia’s destabilising measures against the EU and third countries and to the deterioration of the domestic human rights situation in the country. A significant number of vessels belonging to the Russia’s shadow fleet were added to the EU sanctions list.

2.4.2025 | The Legal Committee of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) met in London on 24–28 March 2025. The meeting discussed measures to prevent illegal operations by vessels belonging to the shadow fleet. The Committee approved a proposal co-sponsored by Finland and many other countries to conduct a Regulatory Scoping Exercise to further develop actions to prevent unlawful operations in the maritime sector.

24.2.2025 | The 16th sanctions package adopted by the European Union on 24 February bans imports of primary aluminium and extends export prohibitions. The package also imposes new sanctions on shadow vessels and those who support the operations of the shadow fleet.

24.7.2026 | The EU approved its 21st sanctions package on 23 July. The package continues to increase pressure on Russia by weakening Russia’s ability to wage its war of aggression in Ukraine. The new sanctions enter into force on 23 July 2026. The package contains a record number of new listings. The EU also expands sanctions on the energy and financial sectors and on the shadow fleet and similarly expands the import and export ban lists. The package also tightens sanctions against Belarus.

10.7.2026 | The International Maritime Organization IMO convened at its 137th regular session in London on 6–10 July 2026. A particular focus was on the need to protect seafarers and the freedom of merchant shipping. The Council also decided on a number of questions related to the administration and strategic development of the IMO.

23.4.2026 | Russia is waging a war of aggression in Ukraine for the fifth year and has not demonstrated a genuine willingness to negotiate for a lasting peace. Russia’s ruthless strikes on civilian targets highlight the need to tighten sanctions. With its 20th sanctions package, the European Union continues to increase pressure on Russia to weaken the country’s ability to pursue its war of aggression against Ukraine.

26.6.2026 | In its meeting on Friday 26 June, the Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs outlined its positions on the new package of sanctions proposed by the Commission and the External Action Service in response to Russia’s military actions in Ukraine. The 21st sanctions package expands personal and entity sanctions, sectoral sanctions and sanctions against Belarus. Finland supports the sanctions.

22.4.2026 | The Legal Committee of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) met in London on 13–17 April 2026. The meeting discussed the prevention of increased fraudulent registrations and measures to combat unlawful operations of ships.

2.4.2026 | Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Maxime Prévot will visit Helsinki on 7 April and meet Finland's Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen.

20.2.2026 | EU foreign affairs ministers will convene for a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on 23 February. Political Secretary of State Pasi Rajala will represent Finland at the meeting.

23.10.2025 | The European Union has adopted its 19th package of sanctions to step up its responses to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. Russia has demonstrated no willingness to negotiate for a just and lasting peace. The EU expands its sanctions against the energy and financial sectors and Russia’s shadow fleet and adds measures to prevent the circumvention of sanctions. It bans imports of Russian liquef...

19.11.2025 | The EU foreign ministers will convene for a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on 20 November. Finland’s Permanent Representative to the European Union, Jori Arvonen, will represent Finland at the meeting.

12.12.2025 | EU foreign ministers will convene for a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on 15 December. Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen will represent Finland at the meeting.

29.8.2025 | On Friday 29 August, Prime Minister Petteri Orpo hosted President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen in Helsinki and led discussions on European security, Finland’s role as a country on the external border of the EU and efforts to strengthen the EU’s defence. The meeting was held on the Border Guard patrol vessel Turva off the coast of Helsinki. In the discussions, Prime Minister O...

19.7.2025 | The European Union has adopted its 18th package of sanctions as a response to Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine and its lack of willingness to negotiate for a lasting peace. The EU expands its sanctions especially to target the energy and financial sectors and Russia’s shadow fleet and to prevent the circumvention of sanctions. The EU lowers the oil price cap. In addition, the EU tightens its sanctions against Belarus.

28.10.2025 | According to Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, the Nordic countries have an increasingly important role in the current security policy situation. Prime Minister Orpo attended the meeting of the Nordic prime ministers and heads of government and the Nordic Council’s plenary session in Stockholm on 28 October.

13.5.2025 | Transport ministers of Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and Denmark will meet on 13–14 May 2025 in Helsinki. They will issue a joint statement on military mobility and security of supply.

30.9.2025 | In its meeting on Tuesday 30 September, the Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs outlined Finland’s positions for two upcoming meetings in Copenhagen: the informal European Council on 1 October and the meeting of the European Political Community on 2 October. The Ministerial Committee on EU Affairs also discussed the 19th package of sanctions being prepared in response to Russia’s military actions in Ukraine.

25.4.2025 | A large group of international experts attended a conference held in Helsinki on 23 April 2025 focusing on the protection of critical underwater infrastructure and the threats posed to it by international maritime transport. Co-operation between different authorities is needed to address these wide-ranging threats.

28.4.2025 | On 21 February 2025, the European Commission and the EU High Representative issued a Joint Communication on an EU Action Plan on Cable Security concerning submarine cables. The Ministry of Transport and Communications will inform Parliament of the action plan on 25 april 2025.