In Brussels on Tuesday, defense ministers from the European Union met to discuss the Union’s support for Ukraine. The meeting covered several topics, including defense preparedness and military crisis management. Finland was represented by Minister of Defense Antti Häkkänen, who emphasized the critical situation in supporting Ukraine and its reliance on production capacity and speed of deliveries in the West.
Häkkänen stated that while there have been steps in the right direction in Europe, progress is slow. He urged more action to support Ukraine and raised Hungary’s blocking of additional funding from the European Peace Fund as a significant issue at the meeting. Despite pressure from many member countries, no solution was found.
The severity of Hungary’s actions was highlighted by Häkkänen, who expressed concern about its impact on Ukraine’s support. He emphasized the importance of solidarity and warned that if Hungary continues down this path, it may face consequences.
Regarding defense preparedness, the ministers discussed financing for the defense industry. Häkkänen pointed out that many banks are hesitant to finance investments in this sector. Finland highlighted the need for close collaboration with NATO in revitalizing the European defense industry while focusing on performance needs first.
Interoperability and interchangeability of defense equipment were also crucial for collective defense efforts. Finland expressed hope that these issues would be prioritized in the strategic program of the next commission. Meanwhile, Finland is considering increasing funding for civil service due to reservists transferring to civilian roles.
Häkkänen’s recent statement in a magazine prompted the government to propose additional funding for civil service. The government is seeking legal means to prevent reservists from leaving their reserve, leading to increased costs. This situation has arisen before during security crises in Finland.
Overall, solidarity and readiness were underscored throughout the meeting as key topics related to defense and military cooperation were debated among EU member states towards a united front supporting Ukraine and enhancing defense preparedness.
