Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo has announced the first ever summit of EU Eastern Flank countries. The meeting of leaders from eight EU member states will take place on December 16 in Helsinki and will focus on European security and strengthening defense on the union’s eastern border.
According to Orpo, countries bordering Russia or located near it face common challenges: the growth of hybrid threats, cyberattacks, and airspace violations. “Russia poses a threat today, tomorrow, and in the long term. The greatest pressure is on the eastern edges of Europe,” the Finnish prime minister said in an interview with state broadcaster YLE.
The summit will be attended by the leaders of Finland, Sweden, Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, and Bulgaria. The participants plan to agree on joint measures to develop defense capabilities, including strengthening border security, air defense systems, detection and countermeasures against drones, and the development of land forces. In addition, a common position will be developed for presentation in Brussels with the aim of obtaining additional funding from the EU budget.
Approximately €1.5 billion has already been allocated to pilot defense projects, but the countries on the eastern flank are counting on a significant increase in funding—up to €135 billion—in the EU’s multiannual budget starting in 2027.
The summit will take place on the eve of the European Council meeting in Brussels and will serve as a platform for coordinating efforts to strengthen the EU’s eastern flank against the backdrop of current geopolitical challenges.
This is the first event of its kind in the “Eastern Flank” format, highlighting the growing role of the EU’s northeastern and eastern members in shaping the union’s common defense policy.