Finland and Norway to send anti-tank weapons to Ukraine
Finland is providing Ukraine with anti-tank weapons, assault rifles, cartridges and field rations: "This is a historic decision for Finland," said Prime Minister Sanna Marin
Norway and Finland want to send weapons to Ukraine for the fight against Russia, the governments of the two countries announced on Monday evening.
Finland is providing Ukraine with 1,500 anti-tank weapons and 2,500 assault rifles. The country is also donating 150,000 cartridges and 70,000 portions of field rations. "This is a historic decision for Finland," said Prime Minister Sanna Marin.
Finland is not a member of NATO but is a cooperation partner.
In view of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, parliament plans to discuss NATO membership from Tuesday, Finnish Radio reported on Monday evening.
A petition for a referendum on the application for NATO membership had previously reached the required 50,000 votes for the parliament to deal with it.
A long border with Russia
Finland shares a 1,300-kilometre border with Russia.
Norway is sending 2,000 M72 anti-tank weapons to Ukraine.
"Norway has a restrictive practice for the export of defence goods, but Ukraine is now in an exceptional situation," Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said, according to a statement.
The Russian government has warned neutral Finland and Sweden that their eventual accession to NATO would have serious consequences.