Ambassador Adam Vojtěch summarized various forms of Czech assistance to Ukraine over the past year and Czech activities in this area during Czech EU Presidency. According to Ukrainian Ambassador Olga Dibrova, her country would have defended itself under any circumstances, but Western assistance has enabled Ukraine to remain a free, sovereign and democratic state and to liberate almost 50 % of the territory occupied by Russian aggressors. The goal for 2023 is to secure the delivery of much-needed military equipment and materiel as quickly as possible in cooperation with allies. Nevertheless, to make a significant advance, fighter jets and long-range missiles are needed in addition to tanks and other heavy equipment. Ukraine wants a lasting and functional peace and will therefore not accept any proposals that would challenge its territorial integrity within its 1991 borders.

According to Mikael Antell, Deputy Director General of the MFA’s Political Department, Finland will support Ukraine for as long as necessary. The latest 13th military assistance package so far, worth €160 million and including Leopard 2 tanks, was approved just in time of the event. The Russian aggression against Ukraine has moved Finland, for the first time ever, to provide arms to one of the countries at war and, by applying to join NATO, has fundamentally reconsider its security and defence policy. Finland is also assisting Ukraine by providing military training, by providing much-needed supplies for the energy infrastructure that is constantly under attack by Russia and emergency accommodation for internally displaced persons. So far, Finland has received almost 50 000 Ukrainian refugees on its territory. Finland is also looking into the future, when Ukraine will need to be reconstructed in cooperation with all relevant partners.