Finnish Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen revealed that Finland has been training Ukrainian military personnel both domestically and internationally.
Speaking to the STT news agency, Häkkänen noted, “We have been conducting short-term training on Finnish soil, primarily focusing on technical training related to specific military equipment.”
Häkkänen further explained that 20 Finnish trainers have participated in training Ukrainian soldiers as part of the British-led Interflex mission in the United Kingdom.
Additionally, around 50 Finnish trainers have been involved in the European Union Military Assistance Mission (EUMAM) to train Ukrainian military personnel.
The Defense Minister highlighted that most of these trainers are either current military personnel or reservists.
Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto previously revealed that Finland doesn’t dismiss the possibility of deploying Western troops to Ukraine in the future.
However, Finland’s minister emphasized that the current moment isn’t suitable for such considerations.
In an interview with the British newspaper Financial Times, Haavisto stated that it’s not the right time to send troops to Ukraine, and discussions on the matter are premature. Yet, she emphasized the importance of remaining open-minded in the long term.
Haavisto added that given the uncertainty surrounding the conflict’s trajectory, the West should keep all options on the table.
Estonian Foreign Minister Eva-Maria Liimets echoed similar sentiments, suggesting that French President Emmanuel Macron’s comments regarding troop deployment to Ukraine have spurred European leaders into action.
Liimets emphasized that providing support to Kyiv through weapons and financial aid is a safer and more viable option than direct military intervention.
