concept of security also includes social, economic and environmental dimensions, as well as the safety and well-being of citizens. Security policy includes defence policy and military defence, mostly foreign policy, and partly economic policy and societal policy (such as internal security).

National measures and international cooperation aim to prevent the emergence of armed conflicts and situations that threaten Finland’s security and the functioning of society, as well as the risk of Finland becoming involved in a military conflict. Finland participates in international cooperation to safeguard peace and human rights and to promote the development of societies. The goal is a more stable, predictable and safe world.

A historic change took place in Finland’s foreign and security policy in spring 2022, when Finland, together with Sweden, decided to apply for NATO membership. The decision was caused by Russia’s initiation of war against Ukraine and Finland’s need to ensure its national security against the Russian threat. Finland abandoned its decades-long policy of neutrality and military non-alignment. Finland’s NATO membership entered into force on 4 April 2023. The accession process was facilitated by the fact that Finland had participated in NATO’s Partnership for Peace programme since 1994, and the Defence Forces had been developed to be compatible with NATO cooperation. Finland also participated in many NATO exercises and NATO-led crisis management operations. From the late 1990s onwards, the foreign and security policy reports of the government included a so-called “NATO option”. This meant being prepared to apply for NATO membership if the security situation deteriorated significantly. Russia’s invasion of its neighbouring Ukraine in 2022 was a decisive factor leading Finland to apply for NATO membership.

The guidelines for foreign, security and defence policy are defined in the reports published by the Government once per parliamentary term. The Report on Foreign and Security Policy, published in 2024, states that Finland’s foreign and security policy is based on value-based realism. The most important goals are to safeguard Finland’s independence and territorial integrity, prevent Finland from becoming involved in a military conflict, and guarantee the security and well-being of the Finnish people.

According to the Report on Foreign and Security Policy, Finland’s security is guaranteed by three “locks”: 1) a strong national defence capability integrated into NATO’s deterrence and defence posture, 2) membership in both the EU and NATO, and 3) bilateral foreign, security, and defence cooperation with NATO allies and partners.

In 2024, the Government also published a Defence Report, which defined the guidelines for the development of Finland’s defence as part of NATO’s collective defence system. In addition to its own defence capability, Finland’s external security relies heavily on NATO’s collective deterrence and defence, in which the United States plays the primary role. It is in Finland’s interests that the leading and cohesive role of the United States in NATO remains stable and unchanged.

The EU is still Finland’s most important political and economic framework as well as its primary community of values. Finland aims to deepen the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy and defence cooperation, because Finland wants the EU to further develop into a security community. Efforts within the EU to develop its own security and defence also contribute to strengthening transatlantic security and are in NATO’s interests. According to the Report on Finnish Foreign and Security Policy, the more united and stronger the EU is, the more secure Finland’s position will be.

The war in Ukraine also brought about a significant change in Finland’s traditional arms export policy, according to which military equipment is not exported to countries at war. The EU decided that Ukraine needed to be supported by arms deliveries, as a ban on arms exports to Ukraine would only serve Russia’s interests. In line with the EU’s common policy, Finland has delivered a large amount of defence materiel to Ukraine in addition to humanitarian aid, totalling approximately EUR 2.8 billion. Relative to the size of the economy (GDP), the amount of bilateral aid provided by Finland is among the highest in Europe. In addition, Finland has provided Ukraine with more than one billion euros in development cooperation and humanitarian aid.