Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III conducted a bilateral meeting with his Finnish counterpart, Minister of Defense Antti Häkkänen, to discuss Finland's integration into NATO, military aid to Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East, and other key security issues.
During the meeting, Secretary Austin commended Minister Häkkänen for Finland's robust efforts to integrate itself effectively into NATO and thanked the Finns for their substantial assistance to Ukraine. The Secretary highlighted Finland's efforts in these areas demonstrate its strong commitment to regional security. The two leaders discussed how the United States and Finland will continue to work together, alongside international partners, to support Ukraine's military requirements now and in the future.
The two leaders also conferred on the next steps for implementing the U.S.-Finland Defense Cooperation Agreement which was signed last December. The Secretary also congratulated Finland on recently joining the National Guard Bureau's State Partnership Program. The Finnish Armed Forces have been paired with the Virginia National Guard to exchange lessons-learned and training, enhance operational capabilities, and strengthen the bonds of friendship and mutual understanding between our forces.
