Finland does not have any Patriot missiles to transfer to Ukraine, Defence Minister Antti Hykkänen said in an interview with *Ilta-Sanomat*. He emphasised that the state cannot jeopardise the constant readiness of its own air defence. At the same time, the minister expects that the coming winter will be the hardest for Ukraine since the start of the full-scale war, due to Russia’s focus on energy infrastructure.
Briefly about the main points
- Finland does not have any Patriot missiles, said Antti Hykkänen.
- Helsinki has not disclosed the mechanisms for supporting Ukraine in specific areas of air defence.
- The minister predicts that Ukraine is facing its toughest winter since the start of the war.
- According to Hykkänen, Russia is focusing on targeting energy infrastructure.
- He described missile production in the US as key to overcoming the shortfall.
The scope of support in the field of air defence
Antti Häkkinen He said that Finland has capabilities in certain types of anti-aircraft missiles, but did not specify exactly how the country is supporting Ukraine. According to him, Finland has done more for Kyiv than one might expect given its size.
The minister explained that, as a frontline state, Finland cannot risk compromising the constant readiness of its air defence. This was the rationale behind his cautious approach to air defence resources, even though Ukraine is in urgent need of capabilities to intercept ballistic missiles.
Russian pressure on the energy sector ahead of winter
According to Hykkänen, Russia is seeking to to disable Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, in order to undermine the country’s ability to get through the winter. He believes that a difficult period also lies ahead this autumn for the entire Western coalition supporting Ukraine.
The minister highlighted the problems facing Ukraine’s air defence and the need to combine military aid with the reconstruction of the energy infrastructure ahead of winter. He also noted that Ukraine is capable of putting pressure on Russia, but faces other serious challenges.
Commenting on the need for air defence missiles, Hykkänen cited the stockpiles of certain European countries that possess Patriot systems as one of the key issues. At the same time, in his view, the US defence industry will play a decisive role in overcoming the acute shortage.
What Hykkänen described as the conditions for strengthening Ukraine’s defences
Hakkinen also linked the availability of Western missiles to war in Iran. In his view, resolving and bringing the conflict to an end could free up for Ukraine some of the Western missile capabilities currently directed towards the Middle East.
According to the minister, US industry could meet this urgent need, but production is being held back by red tape and delays. He added that the Pentagon is taking steps to ramp up production capacity.
To strengthen Ukraine’s position, Hykkänen also called for tougher US sanctions, greater support from Europe, the strengthening of Ukraine’s air defence, and more active bilateral agreements on industrial cooperation with Kyiv. He advised against rushing to re-establish contacts with Russia until a situation had been created in which Moscow would recognise that its position in the war was weakening.
