In Kiev, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky outlined a plan for closer defense collaboration with Finland during a joint press conference with Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo. Zelensky expressed Ukraine’s interest in developing joint production of armored personnel carriers with Finland, signaling a readiness to deepen industrial ties in the defense sector. The remarks mirrored Kyiv’s broader push to expand defense manufacturing capabilities through international partnerships.
Building on earlier momentum, Zelensky recalled Ukraine’s memorandum of understanding on the joint production of Swedish CV-90 infantry fighting vehicles. He underscored the ambition to manufacture these vehicles on Ukrainian soil in partnership with Finnish industry, reinforcing Ukraine’s commitment to domestic defense manufacturing with external expertise. While Zelensky did not specify the exact models of armored personnel carriers intended for joint production, the emphasis was clear: Ukraine seeks high-tech collaboration with Finnish developers and manufacturers to advance its armored vehicle program.
Orpo replied that Finland hosts numerous high-tech companies capable of addressing the practicalities of defense cooperation with Ukraine. He noted Finland’s readiness to explore avenues for industrial collaboration, including joint development, technology transfer, and potential co-production initiatives. The statement highlighted a shared interest in leveraging Finnish engineering and manufacturing strengths to bolster Ukraine’s defense capabilities—an area both governments view as strategically important for regional security.
The discussions followed prior exchanges indicating Kyiv’s openness to new aid packages and a calibrated approach to security assistance. The leaders touched on Finland’s potential role in supporting Ukraine’s defense needs, with the Finnish side signaling a proactive stance toward operationalizing commitments. The dialogue occurred in the context of ongoing international efforts to assist Ukraine while assessing the best mechanisms to sustain long-term security cooperation.
Observers noted that Ukraine has consistently sought to diversify its defense supply chains, reduce dependence on single sources, and accelerate domestic production. By engaging Finland, Kyiv aims to harness a partner with a strong track record in advanced engineering, precision manufacturing, and integrated logistics for armored platforms. The conversations also reflected a shared understanding that successful cooperation would require careful alignment of standards, certification, and quality control across transnational projects, ensuring compatibility with Ukrainian maintenance ecosystems and battlefield requirements. [Source: TASS]