Prime Minister Petteri Orpo in Kyiv: Finland and Ukraine will establish a coalition to support the construction of civil defence shelters

Prime Minister Petteri Orpo travelled to Kyiv on Wednesday 28 May at the invitation of Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.

On his visit, Prime Minister Orpo also met with Speaker of Parliament Ruslan Stefanchuk, Deputy Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, Minister of the Interior Yhor Klymenko and Minister of Energy German Galuschenko.

Prime Minister Orpo’s discussions with the Ukrainian state leaders highlighted Finland’s strong support for Ukraine, the need to increase pressure on Russia, Ukraine’s path to EU membership and reconstruction.

“In the midst of this war and its brutality, Ukraine is rebuilding, it has already begun. Finns’ support for Ukraine is unwavering and very much appreciated. This has been palpable in all our meetings,” said Prime Minister Orpo.

The prime ministers also discussed the plans and actions Finnish companies have put in place to support Ukraine and its reconstruction. 

Development of civil defence system an important area of cooperation

At the meeting in Kyiv, Finland and Ukraine announced a new civil defence coalition project to be led jointly by Finland and Ukraine. From Ukraine’s perspective, protecting the population and developing the civil defence system is one of the most important areas of civil cooperation with Finland. Ukraine aims to build over 10,000 new civil defence shelters over the next ten years.

Because of Finland’s strong expertise in civil defence, Ukraine has asked Finland to assume a leading role in developing the country’s civil defence shelters and in establishing and overseeing the operations of the civil defence coalition. On Wednesday, the prime ministers signed a declaration establishing the coalition.

“This marks an important milestone in our cooperation, in the development of civil defence shelters and in the utilisation of Finland’s expertise. We invite our international partners to join the coalition and support the construction of civil defence shelters in Ukraine in line with the country’s national objectives,” said Prime Minister Orpo.

The prime ministers also signed a bilateral joint declaration on Wednesday, which supports the wider agreement on security cooperation and long-term support between Finland and Ukraine signed in spring 2024. In addition, they signed an intergovernmental agreement on a project to support the education sector, outlining the implementation, responsibilities, principles and scope of the bilateral project to reform general upper secondary education.

Also on Wednesday, Finland and Ukraine signed a Memorandum of Understanding on energy cooperation in areas such as renewable energy, clean technologies, energy efficiency and flexible energy systems. The Memorandum of Understanding was drawn up at the initiative of the Ukrainian Ministry of Energy and was signed on behalf of the Finnish Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment by Ambassador Tarja Fernández. 

Prime Minister Orpo’s programme in Kyiv also included laying a wreath at the Wall of Remembrance for the Fallen for Ukraine at Mykhailivska Square.

Inquiries: Marja Koskela, Diplomatic Adviser to the Prime Minister, tel. +358 50 571 1961, Tuomas Tikkanen, Special Adviser to the Prime Minister (EU Affairs), tel. +358 40 523 5768, Prime Minister’s Office, Heikki Honkanen, Senior Specialist, Ministry of the Interior, tel. +358 295 488 565 (Joint Statement on Civil Defence), Eero Karjalainen, Senior Specialist, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 295 047 093 (Memorandum of Understanding on Energy), Heli Suominen, Head of Communications, tel. +358 50 479 3766, Prime Minister’s Office.

Email addresses of the Government are in the format [email protected].

Notice: The phone numbers have been updated on June 2, 2025.