Finland Ukraine peacekeeping efforts will not involve Finnish soldiers entering combat zones, Prime Minister Petteri Orpo confirmed on Thursday. Speaking from the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome, Orpo said Finland’s role, once the war ends, will focus on technical support and military training rather than boots on the ground.
In a phone call with Finnish news agency STT, he explained,
“When peacekeeping efforts become relevant, we will go into more detail. But the central role will belong to large countries like France and Britain. For border countries like Finland, the role will remain smaller.”
Finland officially joined NATO in 2023. The country shares a 1,340-kilometre border with Russia, much of which is now reinforced with newly constructed fencing and surveillance.
The two-day conference in Rome was led by French President Emmanuel Macron and new UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. It brought together political leaders, global institutions, and private companies to coordinate support for Ukraine’s recovery and long-term rebuilding.
Orpo stressed Finland’s commitment to helping Ukraine rebuild. He said Finland already provides both civilian and military support, and that cooperation between the two countries is expanding. Several Finnish companies were present at the conference, exploring reconstruction deals worth billions.
“Hundreds of companies attended. Around a dozen were Finnish,” Orpo said. “Major reconstruction contracts were agreed upon at the event.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that €2.3 billion has already been raised to fund Ukraine’s postwar recovery. The target is €10 billion. The funds will go toward rebuilding housing, hospitals, businesses, schools, and power systems that have been damaged or destroyed since 2022.
Finland Ukraine Peacekeeping Will Not Include Landmine Deployment
Orpo was also asked about a recent report by Reuters suggesting Finland may restart production of anti-personnel landmines, possibly for domestic use or for Ukraine. He declined to confirm the story directly.
“I will not comment on the specifics,” he said. “What I can say is that the Finnish defence sector is growing fast. There is strong potential, and the cooperation with Ukraine is significant in this area.”
The Rome event included a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, which both Orpo and Finnish President Alexander Stubb joined remotely. For the first time, the United States also took part in the meeting. Orpo said this was a clear signal of renewed commitment.
“There has been some uncertainty about where the United States and President Trump stand when it comes to Russia,” Orpo said. “But what we’re seeing now is strong involvement in defending Ukraine.”
He also referred to recent reports of Donald Trump showing irritation toward Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to Orpo, frustration is building over Russia’s continued bombing and lack of progress toward peace.
“That change in tone shows something is shifting,” Orpo added. “Even Trump appears tired of the same excuses and lack of resolution.”
The Finnish prime minister also said new sanctions are in progress and will likely be completed soon. He believes the next round of measures will place heavy pressure on Russia’s government.
“These sanctions are necessary,” Orpo said. “They will help force Russia back to the negotiating table. Every step counts.”
