Helsinki announces over $336 million for Ukraine to boost energy system, satellite development as Finnish PM visits Kyiv

Editor's note: This story is being updated.

Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo arrived in Kyiv on Oct. 22 to finalize a number of agreements aimed at supporting Ukraine in the coming winter.

Orpo's visit comes amid a flurry of peace diplomacy, as Russia's mass overnight strike on Ukraine's capital underscored Moscow's unwillingness to cease its attacks.

Kyiv and Helsinki signed seven agreements on Oct. 22, worth a total value of 330 euros (over $336 million), President Volodymyr Zelensky said after meeting with Orpo. The deals include support for Kyiv's energy infrastructure and greater access to Finland's satellite networks.

"We agreed to utilize more of Finland's satellite capabilities," the president said. "This is important for our defense and for the resilience of Ukraine."

The agreements involve Finnish satellite companies Nokia and ICEYE, Zelensky said.

Ukraine relies heavily on intelligence gathered via satellite networks from foreign partners to monitor Russian missile launches and prepare for Russian strikes. In a press release from ICEYE, the companies said they wanted to go even further by helping Ukraine architect its own sovereign satellite communications system.

Zelensky also said Finland would provide support for Ukraine's power grid as Moscow begins its annual winter assault on energy. Since the beginning of the full-scale war, Russia has heavily bombarded key heating and electrical facilities during the cold seasons, attempting to plunge the country into darkness and maximize civilian suffering.

"Thank you for your willingness to support our logistics and energy sectors — these are key targets for Russia, and the fact that we will have more locomotives, more energy equipment, and more resources to protect our energy infrastructure will be a significant boost," Zelensky said.

Finland's Foreign Ministry also announced on Oct. 22 that Helsinki will allocate 2 million euros ($2.2 million) in humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

"The main purpose of the visit is to show Finland's strong support for Ukraine as the war of aggression continues and the country prepares for the winter," the Finnish government said.

Orpo's agenda also included meetings with top Ukrainian officials and opportunities to "show support for the reforms needed for Ukraine's EU membership."

Orpo's visit came a day after U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg on Oct. 21. Witkoff had met with Zelensky and European partners in Oslo a day earlier on Oct. 20 to discuss peace proposals to present to the Kremlin.

After meeting with Witkoff, Putin said Moscow was ready to resume negotiations. Zelensky later reiterated that Ukraine supported trilateral peace talks involving the U.S. and Russia.

Hours after Witkoff lavished praise on Putin during their meeting, Moscow launched several waves of ballistic missiles and drones at Kyiv, killing at least one person and injuring more than 20, according to Ukrainian officials.

Russia launched another ballistic missile attack on Kyiv in broad daylight on Oct. 22, while Orpo was visiting the capital. The Finnish prime minister visited a school damaged by a Russian drone during an earlier October attack, the Keskisuomalainen newspaper reported.

Finnish President Alexander Stubb has long called for Europe to play a bigger role in efforts to end Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine. He has said he would be ready to represent Europe in peace talks if asked.