The NATO meeting will discuss Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and its implications for European security.
Minister of Defense Antti Kaikkonen (center) will attend a NATO meeting in Brussels today, Wednesday. NATO defense ministers will meet today at NATO headquarters.
In addition to NATO countries, the Ministers of Defense of Finland, Sweden and Ukraine, among others, have been invited. Kaikkonen says that he expects a serious discussion on the security situation in Europe from the meeting.
– The application for membership in Finland and Sweden is of interest to many colleagues. Hopefully we can move that a little bit forward as well as backwards. That matter will hardly be resolved today, Kaikkonen said in the afternoon.
Minister of Defense Kaikkonen says that he has had bilateral discussions with his colleagues. In addition, he intends to raise Finland’s NATO membership at a general level.
– Above all, negotiations would be needed between Sweden, Finland and Turkey. It would certainly be good if the NATO organization were also involved in this table. It is hoped that such consultations will be held soon.
As an observer member of the Madrid meeting?
The meeting in Brussels will also pave the way for a NATO summit in Madrid. The agenda for the meeting at the end of June will include the adoption of a new strategy.
Could Finland participate in the meeting as an observer?
– That would be an important and good step forward. But before there is an agreement between all the member states, this issue will not progress either, Kaikkonen answers.
– I would like it to be important that (the membership issue) be resolved before the Madrid meeting. Is it possible? That is not certain at all. Now we must not raise our hands, but work calmly and resolutely for our membership, he continues.
Discussion on arms assistance to Ukraine
The Secretary of Defense will also attend the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting hosted by the United States at NATO Headquarters.
The meeting will address the situation in Ukraine and support for the country. The Ukraine Defense Contact Group is a group of more than 40 countries that, under the leadership of the United States, coordinates the delivery of arms assistance to Ukraine.
The NATO Secretary General called for a comprehensive aid package for Ukraine. According to Kaikkonen, Ukraine has an obvious need for more defense equipment.
– Last Friday, we made a decision that Finland will send more defense equipment to Ukraine.
In addition, the Minister will have several bilateral ministerial meetings during his visit, including the Minister of Defense of Ukraine Oleksii Reznikov with.