US military aircraft to be allowed to use airport in Finland

The Finnish authorities plan to allow the U.S. Air Force to use the infrastructure of Rovaniemi airport after negotiations with Washington on defence cooperation.

According to the Iltalehti newspaper, such a decision was confirmed at an event of the Association of Political Journalists by the President of the Republic Sauli Niinistö.

"There will be a US military presence on Finnish soil. The US Air Force will start using the aviation infrastructure of Lapland, i.e. Rovaniemi airport," the article said.

According to the Finnish leader, the agreement to use the airport is part of a plan for NATO presence on the country's territory.

"The agreement will lead to at least some US presence in Finland," Niinistö concluded.

In September 2022, Finnish authorities reported the start of negotiations with the US on defence cooperation - the Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA). The final document will determine the status of U.S. troops in Finland.