Finland’s defense minister Antti Häkkänen urged European governments to commit at least 0.25% of gross domestic product (GDP) to support Ukraine and linked it to Europe’s security, The Kyiv Independent and ANSA reported.
Häkkänen made the appeal during a group interview with journalists in Helsinki on Nov. 5. ANSA said it attended the meeting. The Kyiv Independent quoted him as saying, “What we need to defend ourselves, Europe needs.”
The Kyiv Independent also reported that Häkkänen connected joint support for Ukraine to Europe’s influence in peace talks. He said Finland’s security interests aligned with Europe’s broader interests, the outlet reported.
Ukraine’s official 2024 document, Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic Future, proposed that NATO allies provide annual military assistance equal to 0.25% of GDP. The report put that combined commitment at about $100 billion a year. Its benchmark applies to military assistance; the Nov. 5 proposal was described as broader support for Ukraine.
Estonia’s government has pledged annual military aid of at least 0.25% of GDP through 2027. The Estonian Defense Ministry says aid will reach at least 0.28% of GDP in 2026. Lithuania’s Defense Ministry says the country plans military and financial support worth 0.25% of GDP in 2026.
Finland’s Ministry of Defence said its 34th materiel package for Ukraine, approved Sept. 15, was valued at about €290 million. The ministry put the total value of delivered materiel at €3.6 billion.
A European Commission spokesperson said on Oct. 19 that Ukraine faced an estimated €70 billion financing gap in 2027, after accounting for €45 billion expected from the EU and some international partners. On Oct. 30, the Commission proposed a €45 billion 2027 tranche within its €90 billion Ukraine Support Loan for 2026–27. The plan assigns up to €13.3 billion for budget support and €31.7 billion for Ukraine’s defense industrial capacity. The Council of the European Union must still adopt the proposal.
