Finland is set to sign a defense cooperation agreement with the United States on Monday, Dec. 18, according to the Finnish government. This agreement will involve the presence of US soldiers and military material to assist in Finland’s defense, the government announced on Thursday. Finland’s Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen explained that the defense cooperation agreement will strengthen ties with the United States and play a crucial role in the event of a crisis.
Earlier this year, Finland became the newest member of the NATO military alliance in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Officials from the Finnish Ministry stated that the agreement will outline 15 facilities and areas where the US military will have unrestricted access and can store military equipment and ammunition. This serves as a rulebook for US military presence in Finland.
Last week, Finland’s neighboring country, Sweden, signed a similar agreement with the US. This deal will grant the US access to 17 areas, including four air bases, one harbor, and five military camps. Sweden has also expressed its interest in joining NATO, but its membership is pending due to opposition from current members Turkey and Hungary.
(Reporting by Essi Lehto, editing by Anne Kauranen)
