The United States and Finland have signed a defense cooperation agreement. The Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA) will allow for the presence and training of U.S. forces and the prepositioning of U.S. defense equipment in Finland. Speaking to the press at the signing ceremony, U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken called it a historic step in cooperation between the two countries and welcomed Finland's accession to NATO, UNN reports with reference to Voice of America.
"Today, NATO is bigger, stronger, and more united than at any time in its 75-year history, thanks in part to Finland's accession, and soon Sweden will join as well," the top U.S. diplomat said.
Following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Finland became NATO's newest member, and Sweden is awaiting the completion of its accession process.
"Finland makes a significant contribution to the alliance, sharing technical expertise, hosting and conducting NATO military exercises, meeting and exceeding NATO's goal of spending at least 2% of GDP on defense," Blinken said.
Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said that the United States is Helsinki's key strategic ally, but also its most important trading partner. "Joining NATO together with the DCA gives us the impetus to take the cooperation between the United States and Finland to the next level. Another good example is our technology cooperation, which has become an integral part of our relationship. In this area, we are committed to deepening our ties even further," she said.
"The DCA gives us the ability to act together in all situations and strengthens the security of the Nordic and Baltic regions. As a NATO Ally, Finland will maintain a strong national defense, which will strengthen NATO. I want to emphasize our strong commitment to the Alliance and its overall security. Sweden's accession to NATO - without delay - is a priority for us," she said.
Speaking about the importance of collective defense of allies against the backdrop of Russia's full-scale aggression against Ukraine, the Secretary of State said: "Autocrats who want to redraw the borders of one country by force will almost certainly not stop there. And that is why we will continue to work together to defend democratic values, independence and sovereignty. NATO and agreements like the current one are designed to protect first and foremost."
Blinken devoted a significant part of his speech to the importance of supporting Ukraine, emphasizing that Finland provides significant humanitarian and military support to Kyiv in its defense against Russian aggression.
"U.S. assistance is critical to enabling Ukraine to build its own capacity to stand on its own two feet - militarily, economically, and democratically - to ensure that Putin's war of aggression remains a strategic defeat. We will continue to work with Congress to approve President Biden's request for additional funding, which is vital to this outcome," he said.
"By attacking Ukraine, Russia made a monumental strategic mistake. Continuing our strong support for Ukraine remains a key priority for us," said Valtonen. - "The EU has made a historic decision to start accession talks with Ukraine, and we will push forward with agreements on long-term military and financial support for Ukraine as soon as possible. After all, Ukraine is not only fighting for its sovereignty and freedom, but also for our common values."
Blinken added: "As I said during my visit to Helsinki, Finland knows better than anyone what is at stake for Ukraine. In 1939, the Finns also faced a Russian invasion and proved that a free people can put up an incredibly powerful and resilient fight. Your story also serves as a reminder of why it is so important that we all continue to support Ukraine."