Finland: New security outlook

In the post-war period, Finland pursued a policy of neutrality but shifted away from this following the end of the cold war. It joined the EU in 1995 and participated in some NATO activities. Following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, Finland announced it would be seeking to join NATO. Finland's accession to NATO was completed in April 2023.

Whole of society approach to security

Finland takes a unique “whole of society” approach to defence and security. Those areas deemed to be vital societal functions, including defence, internal security, the economy, protection of critical national infrastructure, and security of supply are all delivered collaboratively between the government, the business community, non-governmental organisations and citizens.

Response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine led to a rapid change in public attitudes on NATO membership, with Finland submitting an application to join NATO, alongside Sweden, in May 2022. Finland acceded to NATO in April 2023.

In April 2024, President Stubb and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a ten-year security agreement. Finland has joined the UK-French “Coalition of the Willing” initiative in 2025 to support Ukraine’s future security, but the Finnish Government has said it will not send troops to Ukraine.

Strengthening defence and security

In 2025, the Government announced that Finland would be increasing defence spending to a minimum of 3% percent of GDP by 2029. It also notified its withdrawal from the Ottawa treaty which bans anti-personnel landmines, citing the threat posed by Russia. Finland is constructing a new high border barrier on its frontier with Russia, equipped with barbed wire, mesh fencing, surveillance cameras and sensors.

Following incidents of damage to undersea infrastructure in Finnish waters and the wider Baltic sea region in late 2024, attributed to Russia’s “shadow fleet” associated with sanctions evasion, NATO launched the Baltic Sentry operation, to protect critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. The UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), an alliance of 10 northern European nations, also activated Operation Nordic Warden to track potential threats to undersea infrastructure and monitor the Russian shadow fleet.

The Finnish Government hosted a first ever Eastern Flank summit on 16 December 2025, bringing together leaders of eight EU countries on the EU’s eastern edge, calling for the EU’s support in “building credible and united defence capabilities along the border with Russia from north to south” (PDF).

Arctic Security and Greenland

The Government published a policy document on Arctic security policy (PDF) in late 2025, emphasising the importance of NATO cooperation and the Arctic expertise that Finland provides both to the EU and NATO. It also referred to icebreaker collaboration with the USA and Canada and the role Finland plays as the global leader in designing and building icebreakers. In October 2025, the Trump Administration announced a memorandum of understanding had been signed with Finland to construct four Arctic ice breakers in shipyards in Finland.

Finland has joined other Nordic and European countries in emphasising Denmark and Greenland’s sovereignty and their right to decide on Greenland’s future status. Finland was one of eight European countries that sent personnel to take part in a military reconnaissance trip to Greenland in January 2025, leading to President Trump announcing extra tariffs on these countries (later withdrawn). President Stubb emphasised the need for de-escalation, the risks to the transatlantic relationship posed by tariffs and the willingness of Finland to contribute to new NATO Arctic security efforts.

Finland is a member of the Arctic Council alongside the other Nordic countries, the USA, Canada and Russia. It also cooperates closely with other Nordic countries in the Nordic Council and Nordic Council of Ministers.

UK-Finland strategic partnership

The UK and Finland adopted a joint declaration in May 2022, providing mutual security guarantees. In May 2024, the UK and Finland agreed a new strategic partnership, deepening ties in several policy areas including defence and security.