On 22 October, Ukraine and Finland signed seven cooperation documents worth approximately €300 million. The agreements cover defence technology, drone production, satellite communications, railway transport and industrial construction.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced this after talks with Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo in Kyiv.
According to the head of state, the signed documents provide for both direct assistance to Ukraine and expanded cooperation between businesses of the two countries. Zelenskyy estimated the total value of today's agreements at around €300 million.
One specific decision concerns the transfer of ten diesel locomotives to Ukraine. Prime Ministers Serhiy Koretsky and Petteri Orpo signed a certificate of donation of railway equipment. The locomotives are intended to support the work of Ukrzaliznytsia amid Russian attacks on transport infrastructure.
As the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine reported, over the past year and a half, Russian troops have destroyed or damaged more than 500 Ukrainian locomotives. Therefore, restoring the locomotive fleet remains an important task for ensuring passenger and freight transportation.
Another document provides for expanded cooperation between Ukraine and Finnish companies Nokia Defense and ICEYE. Representatives of the Ministry of Defence and the two companies signed a letter of intent on developing space capabilities, particularly satellite communications for the Ukrainian defence ministry.
In addition, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine and Finnish company KENNO TECH concluded a memorandum of cooperation.
A significant part of the agreements relates to the development of joint defence production. Ukrainian company General Chervona Kalyna and Finland's Patria Group signed a memorandum to continue their strategic partnership. The parties confirmed their intention to establish a joint venture in Finland for the development and production of unmanned systems for military and dual-use purposes.
Another project involves cooperation between Ukraine's Bavovna Miltech and Finland's Insta. The companies plan to create production facilities in Finland for the development and manufacture of heavy unmanned aerial systems.
The agreements also touched on civilian industry. Ukraine's Avantazh Technology and Finland's Elematic Oyj signed a letter of intent concerning an industrial housing construction project and a precast concrete production plant.
A separate memorandum was concluded by the Federation of Employers of Ukraine and the Confederation of Finnish Industries. The document provides for the establishment of a Ukrainian-Finnish Industrial Council to develop cooperation between enterprises of the two countries.
During the talks, Petteri Orpo also announced Finland's readiness to allocate up to €200 million for the implementation of joint projects under the Drone Deal initiative. This programme provides for the development of defence production, technology exchange and cooperation between businesses of the two countries.
Separately, Finland provided Ukraine with €5 million for winter preparedness and €2 million for humanitarian programmes. The parties also discussed the supply of energy equipment and further strengthening Ukraine's energy system.
However, the figure of around €300 million reflects the total volume of announced agreements, not a one-time transfer of funds to Ukraine. Some of the signed documents are memorandums and letters of intent that will require further decisions for practical implementation.
