Russian invasion of Ukraine
On 24 February 2022 Russia launched its illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Finland strongly condemns Russia's military action in Ukraine and responds to it as part of the European Union.
On this page we compile all our news related to the situation and their background.
- Finland supports Ukraine in many forms
- Sanctions and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
- Finland as an actor in the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy
News and press releases
EU Foreign Affairs Council to discuss Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, situation in Middle East, and China
EU foreign affairs ministers will convene in Brussels on Monday 23 June. Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen will represent Finland at the meeting.
Finnish sanctions authorities remind companies of the importance of sanctions
This week, the Finnish sanctions authorities will send a letter to companies cautioning them that they may be used as platforms or targets for circumventing trade sanctions. The purpose of this letter is to draw attention to the sanctions in force and to provide assistance in complying with them.
EU’s 17th sanctions package cracks down on Russia’s shadow fleet
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.
Baltic Sea NATO allies and EU agree on cooperation to protect critical undersea infrastructure
The Baltic Sea NATO allies and the European Union have agreed on a Memorandum of Understanding to protect critical undersea infrastructure.
Foreign Minister Valtonen to attend informal meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs
Finland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen will attend an informal meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Antalya in Türkiye on 14–15 May.
Foreign Minister Valtonen to attend meeting of Nordic and Baltic foreign ministers in Denmark
Finland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen will attend the NB8 meeting bringing together Nordic and Baltic foreign ministers in Bornholm, Denmark, on 28–29 April. Ministers from Poland, France and Germany will also participate in the meeting.
EU Foreign Affairs Council to discuss Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, situation in the Middle East, the Western Balkans and EU-Africa relations
EU foreign ministers will convene in Luxembourg on 14 April. Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen will represent Finland at the meeting.
Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen to visit Washington DC
Finland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen will visit Washington DC on 10 April 2025. She will meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Foreign Minister Valtonen to visit Sweden
Finnish Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen will meet Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard in Stockholm on 8 April.
Foreign Minister Valtonen to attend meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs
Finland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen will attend a meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Brussels on 3–4 April.
EU imposes sanctions against individuals and entities that have committed human rights violations and undermined democracy in Belarus
The EU sanctions list includes members of the Belarusian Central Electoral Commission, representatives of the Belarusian judiciary and individuals or entities that are considered to have committed serious human rights violations and undermined democracy in Belarus. The EU Member States approved the additional sanctions on 27 March 2025.
EU Foreign Affairs Council to discuss Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, EU-US relations, situation in the Middle East, and Iran
EU foreign ministers will convene in Brussels on 17 March. Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen will represent Finland at the meeting.
Finland grants EUR 16 million in humanitarian assistance to Ukraine
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has made decisions on humanitarian assistance, prioritising Ukraine, major refugee crises in Africa and the humanitarian situation in the Middle East. Funding is also granted for supporting school meals and promoting the inclusion of people with disabilities. The amount of humanitarian assistance now granted totals EUR 36.5 million, of which EUR 16 million is allocated to Ukraine.
Speech by Minister Valtonen in London, at an event hosted by Chatham House
Speech by Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen about Finland’s approach to European security at an event entitled "Keeping the peace on NATO’s longest border with Russia", hosted by Chatham House on 4 March 2025.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen to visit Ireland and the United Kingdom
Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen will visit Dublin, Belfast and London from 3 to 4 March. In Dublin, the Foreign Minister will meet Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade and Minister for Defence Simon Harris. In Belfast, Minister Valtonen will deliver the Annual Harri Holkeri Lecture on mediation at Queen’s University. In London, she will speak about European security at an event hosted by Chatham House.
EU’s 16th sanctions package bans imports of aluminium from Russia and cracks down on shadow fleet
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.
State Secretary Rajala to travel to New York and Washington
Pasi Rajala, State Secretary to Finland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen and Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen, will attend meetings on Ukraine at the UN on 24 February. Rajala will travel from New York to Washington DC on 25–26 February.
Finland to support Ukraine’s resilience and stability on third anniversary of war of aggression
Finland supports the second phase (2025–2027) of the Partnership Fund for a Resilient Ukraine (PFRU) with a total of EUR 4.5 million. There are nine countries channelling their support to Ukraine through the Partnership Fund.
Joint Statement 4th Shadow Fleet Expert Group Meeting 19–20 February 2025
Joint statement by the coastal states of the Baltic Sea and North Sea – Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden and the United Kingdom – following the fourth expert-level meeting in Stockholm 19–20 February 2025.
EU Foreign Affairs Council to discuss Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, situation in the Middle East, Iran and the Democratic Republic of the Congo
EU foreign ministers will convene in Brussels on 24 February. Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen will represent Finland at the meeting.
Finland to organise virtual Nordic foreign ministers (N5) meeting
Finnish Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen has invited the Nordic ministers of Foreign Affairs to this year’s first meeting of the Nordic (N5) cooperation on 11 February. Finland is holding the Presidency of the N5 cooperation on foreign and security policy in 2025.
Like-minded countries call on the G7 to reduce Russia’s energy revenues
In a joint letter, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Romania, and Sweden call on G7 states to take additional steps to reduce the revenues earned by Russia from the sale of its energy carriers.
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys to visit Finland
Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Kęstutis Budrys will visit Helsinki on 11 February and meet Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen.
Foreign Minister Valtonen to address EU Ambassadors' Conference and North Atlantic Council
Finland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen will attend the European Union Ambassadors' Conference and visit NATO Headquarters on 5 February.
Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen to meet UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy in London
Finnish Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen will visit London on 4 February and meet the United Kingdom's Foreign Secretary David Lammy.
Foreign Minister Valtonen to visit Latvia and attend meeting of heads of Latvia’s diplomatic missions
Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen will visit Latvia on 28 January. She will speak at the meeting of the heads of Latvia’s diplomatic missions and meet Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs Baiba Braže.
EU Foreign Affairs Council to discuss Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, situation in the Middle East, and the United States
EU foreign ministers will convene in Brussels on 27 January. Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen will represent Finland at the meeting.
Foreign Minister Valtonen to present Finland’s Programme for OSCE Chairpersonship in Vienna
Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen will visit Vienna on 23 January. She will present the programme for Finland’s OSCE Chairpersonship to the Permanent Council of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), which has representatives from the organization’s 57 participating States and 11 Partners for Co-operation.
OSCE Secretary General Sinirlioğlu to visit Finland
The new Secretary General of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Feridun Sinirlioğlu, will visit Helsinki on 16 January at the invitation of Finland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen, who is currently OSCE Chairperson-in-Office.
EU’s 15th sanctions package and hybrid sanctions regime target parties serving Russia’s interests
In response to Russia’s continuing war of aggression and attacks on civilian targets in Ukraine, the EU’s 15th sanctions package targets individuals and entities that exert military, political or economic influence in Russia. The sanctions are also intended to intervene in the operation of the shadow fleet. The EU warns businesses of the deteriorating business environment in Russia and calls on them to consider winding down businesses in Russia and not to start new businesses there. The EU will make its first listings in the new sanctions framework, the ‘hybrid sanctions regime’, established in response to Russia’s destabilising actions abroad. The listings will include individuals who have contributed to Russia’s destabilising policy in Member States or third countries.
EU imposes sanctions against individuals and entities that have committed human rights violations and undermined democracy in Belarus
The sanctions list includes representatives of the Belarusian judiciary, leaders of prisons and individuals or entities that are considered to have committed serious human rights violations and undermined democracy in Belarus. The EU Member States approved the additional sanctions on 16 December.
EU Foreign Affairs Council to discuss Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, situation in the Middle East, and Georgia
EU foreign ministers will convene in Brussels on 16 December. Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen will represent Finland at the meeting.
Finnish society to extensively support reconstruction of Ukraine
On 12 December, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs published the second part of Finland’s national plan for the reconstruction of Ukraine. Finland will provide support including development cooperation, humanitarian assistance and material assistance. Rebuilding Ukraine will take several years and require extensive international support and participation. Finland is strongly involved in this work.
Foreign Minister Valtonen to attend N5 meeting of Nordic foreign ministers
Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen will attend the online meeting of the Nordic foreign ministers on 10 December.
Finland to strenghten its contribution to NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine
Finland will strengthen its contribution to the NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU). The President of the Republic decided on 5 December that Finland will participate in NSATU with a maximum of six soldiers.
Foreign Minister Valtonen to attend OSCE Ministerial Council meeting
Finland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen will attend the Ministerial Council of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) to be held in Malta on 5–6 December. Malta is currently holding the OSCE Chairpersonship. Finland will take on the Chairpersonship in 2025.
Foreign Minister Valtonen to attend meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs
Finland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen will attend a meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Brussels on 3–4 December.
Finland withdraws from the Barents Euro-Arctic Council
Finland will withdraw from the Barents Euro-Arctic Council after 2025. Finland will continue cooperation in the northern regions through other channels.
Finland to strengthen environmental cooperation with Ukraine
Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio has decided to allocate funding for cooperation between the Finnish Environment Institute and the environmental authorities of Ukraine.
Finland to second experts to International Criminal Court
Finland will second five new national experts to the International Criminal Court in The Hague as part of Finland’s contribution to civilian crisis management. The experts will take up their duties in November and January.
Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Tavio visits Kyiv to attend international School Meals Coalition meeting and support Ukraine’s reconstruction
On his visit to Kyiv on 12 November, Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio announced Finland’s pledge to support the Ukrainian education sector reform and to grant humanitarian assistance. In Kyiv, the Minister also signed a framework agreement on a mixed credit instrument between Finland and Ukraine.
Foreign Minister Valtonen to speak at Paris Peace Forum and meet new French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot
Minister for Foreign Affairs Valtonen will attend the Paris Peace Forum on 11 November. She will speak at a panel dealing with the future of Ukraine.
Finland to continue its participation in EU military assistance mission in Ukraine
On 8 November, the President of the Republic decided to extend Finland’s participation in the EU Military Assistance Mission (EUMAM) in support of Ukraine. Finland will continue its participation in EUMAM until 15 November 2026 with a maximum of 60 soldiers serving in training and advisory tasks.
Finland finances environmental security in Ukraine from development cooperation appropriations
The destruction caused by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has further increased the importance of environmental security. Environmental cooperation is one of the priorities of Finland’s development cooperation in Ukraine, and it is financed from development cooperation appropriations administered by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
Finland pledges EUR one million in support for IMF’s Ukraine Capacity Development Fund
The Ukraine Capacity Development Fund (UCDF) aims to support Ukraine’s policy and reform agenda. The fund supports on macroeconomic stabilisation, post-war reconstruction and Ukraine’s path to EU membership.
Nordic-Baltic foreign ministers visited Ukraine
On October 16th 2024, the Nordic-Baltic countries’ foreign ministers visited Odesa, Ukraine. The visit took place against the backdrop of intensified Russian attacks against Ukraine resulting in further loss of lives, injuries, and widespread destruction. Finland is represented by Political State Secretary Pasi Rajala.
EU Foreign Affairs Council to discuss Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and situation in Middle East
The EU foreign ministers will convene in Luxembourg on 14 October. Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen will represent Finland at the meeting.
Tanzanian Foreign Minister Mahmoud Thabit Kombo to visit Finland
The Tanzanian Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, will visit Helsinki on 8–11 October and meet Finnish Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen.
Namibia’s Foreign Minister Peya Mushelenga to visit Finland
The Namibian Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Peya Mushelenga, will visit Helsinki on 2–5 October and meet Finnish Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen.