KIEV Prime minister Petteri Orpo (cok.) is visiting Ukraine. The visit was not announced to the public in advance for security reasons.
Orpo started his journey today by visiting Irpin, near Kyiv, where houses given by Finland have been erected for those who have lost their homes.
You can read more about Irpin’s houses in this article.
Orpo praised the construction of temporary housing as good concrete help and said that Finland is strongly involved in the reconstruction of Ukraine.
In Kiev Orpo discussed the president to Volodymyr Zelensky with. Zelenskyi mentioned at the press conference organized after the meeting that Finnish companies are active in terms of reconstruction.
‘s reporter followed the press conference Antti Kuronen and the photographer Jani Saikko.
Finnish armored vehicles are of interest to Ukraine
Zelenskyi also raised the possibility of cooperation in the arms industry. Orpo and Zelenskyi discussed the topic in their meeting, but no concrete plans were announced yet.
– We discussed defense industry cooperation with Zelenskyi, and last week we saw the news that the Swedish company has signed an agreement with Ukraine, Orpo stated.
Over the weekend, Sweden and Ukraine announced that they had signed a memorandum of understanding for the production and maintenance of Swedish CV-90 assault tanks in Ukraine.
– Maybe we have a lot to do. We have high technology and the Ukrainians have a lot of experience, so it is really useful and a good idea, Orpo comments on the possible cooperation between Finland and Ukraine in the arms industry.
According to him, we are now looking at what kind of cooperation between Finnish companies and Ukraine could be in the future.
Zelenskyi mentioned at the press conference that Ukraine is very interested in manufacturing Finnish armored vehicles in Ukraine. There are some Finnish armored transport vehicles, or Pases, in use in Ukraine.
A large arms industry meeting will be held in Ukraine in the fall, where cooperation with the arms industry of different countries is to be discussed.
The goals are beyond the current war. Ukraine’s goal is to build a credible defense in the long term, so that Russia would never again dare to attack the country.
A new aid package for Ukraine is coming from Finland
Zelenskyi gave Orpo an update on the situation of the Ukrainian counteroffensive. According to him, the counterattack is progressing slowly but surely. There are many challenges, especially in clearing the mines planted by the Russians.
Orpo reminded at the press conference that Finland gave Ukraine 17 aid packages during the war. According to him, the 18th aid package is coming very soon.
According to Orpo, this package is of the same size as the previous ones. Finland is one of Ukraine’s biggest supporters.
– There is material there that is really necessary: heavy weapons and ammunition, Orpo commented on the contents of the aid package.
Zelenskyi thanked Finland for the aid already given and said that the new aid package will be really needed.
At the press conference, Orpo compared Ukraine’s current war against Russia to Finland’s winter war. Even in the Winter War, Russia attacked its smaller neighbor and then blamed the target of the attack for starting the war.
– Finland fought like Ukraine is fighting now, Orpo compared.
Orpo said that Ukraine is an inspiration to Finland and that visiting the country is an honor for him. The visit coincides with the day when the country’s flag is celebrated in Ukraine. Tomorrow is Ukraine’s Independence Day.
In Kiev, Orpo repeated Finland’s demand that Russia must withdraw its troops from Ukraine.
“All help for Ukraine is welcome”
In the past, during the war, Ukraine has been visited by, among others, the president of the Republic from Finland Sauli Niinistöwho visited the country last January.
Sanna Marin (sd.) made two visits to Ukraine during his prime ministership. One last March and the other in May 2022.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyi visited Finland in May.
In connection with Marin’s visit, a lot of attention was given to the consideration of whether Finland could give Ukraine Hornet fighters that are decommissioning.
The Hornet issue also came up at Orpo’s and Zelensky’s press conference, when the President of Ukraine was asked if the Hornets, which were at the end of their service life, would be suitable.
– If Finland does not need its F18 fighters, we will gladly receive them, Zelenskyi joked.
In a more serious part of his answer, he said that F-16 fighters are now a priority for Ukraine.
– Everyone probably understands why. Because in the future, Ukraine will need a large number of fighters that the partners are able to provide, and it is possible for these fighters [F-16] at, Zelenskyi reasoned.
President Niinistö mentioned yesterday in his speech at the Ambassadors’ Day that it is not in Ukraine’s interest to provide many different types of aircraft. In Niinistö’s opinion, the Hornet matter is finished.