Finland Convenes Summit Of Seven EU Eastern Flank Countries

• 24.11.2025, 23:58

The first Eastern Flank summit will be held in Helsinki in December.

Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo has invited the leaders of seven European countries to a summit in Finland.

The first Eastern Flank summit will be held in Helsinki on December 16. It will focus on threats to security in Europe and defense capabilities, especially on the border with Russia, writes err.ee.

The list of invitees includes leaders of Russia's neighbors. They are Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Mihal, Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silinia and Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda.

In addition, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov and Romanian President Nicusor Dan have been invited to the meeting.

In a press release issued by the State Council Office, Orpo said the meeting provides an excellent opportunity for Europe's eastern border countries to strengthen defense and border cooperation.

- We, Russia's neighbors, share common security challenges. Hybrid operations, cyber-attacks and airspace violations have become more frequent recently. Europe's defense needs to be further strengthened on the border with Russia," the Finnish Prime Minister said.

The summit will precede the European Council meeting later that week in Brussels.