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Finland declines to join NATO's new Ukraine weapons initiative

A view of a Vampire and Kamikaze BC drone used by the 59th Brigade during tests before deployment to the frontline in Dnipro, Ukraine on May 21, 2025. (AA Photo)
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A view of a Vampire and Kamikaze BC drone used by the 59th Brigade during tests before deployment to the frontline in Dnipro, Ukraine on May 21, 2025. (AA Photo)
August 06, 2025 05:30 PM GMT+03:00

Inland will not participate in NATO's newly launched Priority Ukraine Requirements List initiative, which enables member states to purchase or transfer U.S. weapons to Ukraine, the country's defense minister announced Tuesday.

Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen told Finnish broadcaster YLE that Finland has chosen to focus its Ukraine support through domestic channels rather than joining the NATO-led program known as PURL.

"We have committed our resources to the domestic industrial program, in which we order products for Ukraine from our companies all over Finland," Hakkanen explained.

Nordic neighbors commit millions to NATO initiative

The Finnish decision comes as other Nordic nations have embraced the initiative with significant financial commitments. The Netherlands announced a $500 million artillery and ammunition package, while Denmark, Norway, and Sweden jointly unveiled a $500 million military aid package for Ukraine under PURL on Tuesday.

The PURL initiative represents a new mechanism for coordinating Western military support to Ukraine, with funding provided by European allies and Canada. According to NATO, the program will deliver regular packages of approximately $500 million in equipment and munitions that Ukraine has identified as operational priorities.

NATO officials say the packages will include capabilities that the United States can provide in greater quantities than European nations and Canada could supply independently. The alliance emphasized that these aid packages will be prepared quickly and distributed on a regular basis.

Finland pursues domestic defense industry approach

Despite Finland's absence from PURL, Hakkanen stressed that his country remains committed to Ukrainian defense efforts. He described the initiative as "important" and reaffirmed that Finland continues supporting Ukraine "very strongly and vigorously."

The defense minister suggested Finland's approach reflects a strategic choice to strengthen its domestic defense industry while maintaining robust support for Ukraine. By channeling aid through Finnish companies nationwide, the government aims to bolster both Ukraine's military capabilities and Finland's own defense industrial base.

August 06, 2025 05:30 PM GMT+03:00
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