Orpo rules out Finnish combat role in future Ukraine peacekeeping

By admin On Jul 11, 2025

Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo. Photo: Mikko Stig / Lehtikuva

Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said on Thursday that Finnish troops will not take part in combat operations during any future peacekeeping mission in Ukraine.

Speaking from the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome, Orpo said Finland’s contribution would focus on training and technical expertise once the war ends.

“When peacekeeping efforts become relevant, we will go into more detail,” Orpo said in a phone interview with Finnish news agency STT.

“Big countries like France and Britain will play a central role in peacekeeping. Countries that share a border with Russia will have a smaller role.”

Finland, which joined NATO in 2023, shares a 1,340-km border with Russia. Parts of that frontier now feature newly built fencing.

The Ukraine Recovery Conference was hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Leaders and representatives from allied governments, international institutions, and business groups attended the two-day event, aiming to coordinate efforts for Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction.

Orpo said Finland is committed to Ukraine’s recovery and already plays a key role in providing military and civilian support. He highlighted the presence of several Finnish companies at the conference and said reconstruction deals worth billions had been discussed.

“Hundreds of companies, including a dozen Finnish operators, also attended,” Orpo said. “Billion-euro reconstruction agreements were made at the conference.”

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that €2.3 billion had already been raised to fund Ukraine’s post-war recovery. The goal is to reach €10 billion. The funds are intended to restore housing, hospitals, businesses, and energy systems damaged or destroyed since the war began in 2022.

Orpo also addressed a recent report by Reuters suggesting Finland may begin production of anti-personnel landmines for domestic and Ukrainian use. He declined to comment on the specifics of the report.

“I can say that the Finnish defence industry in general has very large potential, it’s growing rapidly, and cooperation with Ukraine is significant in this regard,” he said.

The Rome conference included a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, in which Orpo and Finnish President Alexander Stubb took part remotely. The group discussed ways to enhance Ukraine’s defence capabilities.

The United States joined the meeting for the first time, a development Orpo called encouraging.

“There has been some ambiguity about what the US and President Donald Trump’s attitude towards Russia is,” Orpo said. “The message from the United States now seems to be that they are strongly involved in defending Ukraine.”

Orpo noted that recent statements from Trump suggest frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump reportedly expressed dissatisfaction after a recent phone call with Putin.

“Clearly, his irritation with Putin’s continuous war and bombing, and unwillingness to achieve peace has brought about a change,” Orpo said.

Orpo added that progress is being made on new sanctions against Russia. He said these should be finalised soon.

“We believe the sanctions packages will put strong pressure on Russia and force Russia to the negotiating table,” he said.

Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi