Finland will grant Estonia permission to send howitzers to Ukraine to help the country defend itself against Russian aggression – as long as Germany also agrees.
Speaking during a parliamentary debate on February 23, Finnish Minister of Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto said: “From our side, there is no obstacle if Germany gives the green light to pass them on.”
Haavisto’s comments are thought to be based on a briefing from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which has not been published. The final decision will be made by the Ministry of Defense or the government.
Permission is needed from Finland, as Estonia purchased the weapons from its northern neighbor in 2009. However, they previously belonged to Germany, so it also needs to sign off on the deal under international law.
Germany has been criticized internationally for not making a quick decision on the matter and for, so far, refusing to send lethal aid to Ukraine. It has sent 5,000 helmets, a field hospital and ordered more troops to its NATO battlegroup in Lithuania.
Germany’s ambassador to Estonia said last month the decision was still being discussed in Berlin.
Estonia also sent Javelin missiles to Ukraine after the U.S.A gave the go-ahead. The first batch of surface-to-air missiles arrived last week in Kyiv. (ERR/Business World Magazine)