During a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv, Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin indicated that Helsinki would have to weigh the possibility of handing over McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets to Ukraine. The disclosure came through Finland’s state-run broadcaster, yle, which reported on the exchange between the two leaders. The remark underscored Helsinki’s interest in exploring how allied support for Ukraine might be scaled up, even as practical steps and political consensus remained to be built.
Marin added that a transfer of the Hornets would require careful assessment of feasibility and the specific preparations required. She emphasized that any such decision was at a very preliminary stage and that it would hinge on broader international coordination and consultation. The prime minister highlighted the need for a coordinated approach with other allied nations and institutions before any concrete commitments could be made.
The commentary arrives amid a wider debate on how NATO allies and partner countries could enhance security assistance to Ukraine, reflecting Finland’s evolving role in regional security discussions since joining the alliance framework. The conversations signal a willingness to consider a range of options, balanced against strategic considerations, alliance unity, and the potential implications for regional stability.
Earlier, Dmitry Polyansky, the first deputy permanent representative of the Russian Federation to the United Nations, asserted that fighter jets had already been supplied to Ukraine and that such armaments would draw NATO more directly into the conflict. This assertion framed the ongoing debate within a broader geopolitical context, where the supply of military equipment is closely tied to perceptions of deterrence, escalation risk, and diplomatic signaling among major powers.
In a separate public statement in February, Finnish President Sauli Niinistö indicated that he did not see immediate prerequisites for peace in Ukraine, a position that echoes Finland’s cautious stance on rapid resolution while continuing to pursue diplomatic channels and robust support for Ukraine through non-combat means when possible. The evolving conversation in Helsinki reflects a balancing act between upholding regional security commitments and maintaining national strategic interests amid a rapidly shifting security environment in Europe.