Belgium strengthens ties with Finland to boost aid for Ukraine

Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot is in Finland to underline the need for continued European support for Ukraine, stressing that the conflict “must not be allowed to disappear from the European agenda.”

Prévot’s visit highlights Belgium’s collaboration with Finland through the Shelter Coalition for Ukraine, a Finnish initiative in which the Belgian development agency Enabel is responsible for constructing and renovating shelters for the Ukrainian population, Belga reports.

Finland, with a population of 5.5 million, has more than 50,000 civil defence shelters. In peacetime, these facilities serve as sports halls, play areas, or underground car parks; in crises, they can be made operational within 72 hours. Prévot said Belgium can learn from Finland’s model and will visit a shelter in Merihaka capable of accommodating 6,000 people.

During his visit, Prévot, a member of Les Engagés, will meet Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen in Helsinki. “Ukraine must not become a topic we grow tired of,” he said. “Our support must remain resolute, in terms of military resources, humanitarian aid and concrete projects for sustainable reconstruction.”

Prévot is also scheduled to visit Jordan and Lebanon later this week. Last week, Belgium was among 15 European countries to sign a statement calling for peace in Lebanon, urging Hezbollah to “cease all hostile action” and calling on Israel to “respect the sovereignty” of the country. Since then, Austria and Cyprus have joined the statement.

Through these diplomatic efforts, Prévot aims to reinforce Belgium’s commitment to Ukraine while promoting regional stability and long-term reconstruction initiatives.

By Vafa Guliyeva