Finland: Siltanews – News Desk
Finland turns Russia’s frozen cash into ammo for Ukraine’s war.
In a significant move to bolster Ukraine’s defense against Russia’s ongoing aggression, Finland has struck a deal with the European Commission to supply Kyiv with heavy ammunition, funded by €90 million [$95 million] in proceeds from frozen Russian assets.
Announced on May 19, 2025, the agreement underscores Helsinki’s growing role in supporting Ukraine while leveraging its robust defense industry to produce critical munitions. The funding, channeled through the European Peace Facility [EPF], marks a creative use of immobilized Russian funds to directly counter Moscow’s military campaign, now in its fourth year.
This development not only strengthens Ukraine’s battlefield capabilities but also highlights Finland’s strategic pivot as a NATO member and a key player in European defense.
The agreement comes as part of a broader European Union strategy to utilize the profits from Russian assets, frozen in response to Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. According to a statement from the Finnish Ministry of Defense, the ammunition will be sourced exclusively from Finnish suppliers, ensuring a boost to the country’s defense sector while addressing Ukraine’s urgent need for artillery rounds.
“Finland has made an agreement with the European Commission to supply Ukraine with heavy ammunition, the ministry confirmed, noting that the €90 million will be drawn from the EPF, a mechanism designed to support military aid to non-EU countries.
The deal reflects a growing trend among European nations to redirect Russian financial resources to Kyiv’s war effort, with the EU recently pledging €3.3 billion in similar funding for Ukraine’s defense industry.
Finland’s contribution is particularly noteworthy given its geographic proximity to Russia and its recent integration into NATO. Sharing a 1,340-kilometer [832-mile] border with Russia, Finland has long maintained a strong defense posture, rooted in its history of conflict with its eastern neighbor.
The Winter War of 1939-1940, during which Finland repelled Soviet forces against overwhelming odds, remains a cornerstone of its national identity and military preparedness.