Finland to Host Key EU Summit on Security and Immigration

Finland’s Prime Minister Petteri Orpo will convene a high-level summit with EU leaders in late December to tackle pressing issues of security and immigration. The meeting, set in Saariselka in Finland’s far north on December 21-22, will include EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and the Prime Ministers of Sweden, Italy, and Greece.

The discussions will address “key issues facing Europe in a tense geopolitical climate,” focusing on European security, defense, preparedness, and migration challenges, including border security. Finland has recently accused Russia of orchestrating a migration surge at its eastern border, labeling it a “hybrid attack,” though the Kremlin denies this.

Prime Minister Orpo emphasized the need for Europe to take greater responsibility for its security, asserting that European nations must lead strongly within both the EU and NATO. He highlighted Russia as the primary threat, accused of attempting to consolidate power and create division in Europe. The summit aims to foster confidential dialogue and generate new initiatives to address these challenges.