Ukraine and Finland signed agreements valued at around €300 million during Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s visit to Kyiv, including a partnership with Nokia and ICEYE to develop sovereign satellite communications systems amid concerns over reliance on Starlink.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on October 22, 2026, that Ukraine and Finland had finalized seven agreements worth approximately €300 million ($336 million) during Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s visit to Kyiv. The deals include support for Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, satellite capabilities, and military cooperation, with a focus on reducing reliance on foreign satellite networks like Starlink, which faced recent disruptions.
I addressed the participants of the plenary session of the Ukraine–Finland Business Forum. Finland is a very important partner for us, and we are grateful for your support. We have a Drone Deal between our countries. And the Drone Deal works. Let’s build on this with practical… pic.twitter.com/3LAecIuHDw
— https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/2113330980542926919
Satellite Cooperation Aims to Boost Sovereignty
The agreements include a Letter of Intent between Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence, Nokia, and ICEYE to explore the development of broadband low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communications systems. These systems would allow Ukraine to control its own satellite infrastructure, ground networks, and terminals, rather than depending on commercial providers. Ukraine needs secure, sovereign, and high-performance satellite communications systems that it controls,
said ICEYE CEO Rafal Modrzewski, citing the company’s ongoing support for Ukraine since 2022.
Nokia’s Mikko Hautala emphasized that satellite networks could extend and protect connectivity when terrestrial systems are disrupted,
a critical need as Ukraine faces Russian attacks on its energy and transportation infrastructure. The collaboration follows reports of Starlink service throttling in late October 2026.
Starshield systems are owned and controlled by the US government. Any limits on speed or usage are decided by the US military and ultimately POTUS.Starlink is a commercial service owned and controlled by SpaceX. Usage of Starlink is limited to civilian or defensive activities…
— https://x.com/elonmusk/status/2110445577184133456
The agreements also involve cooperation under the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) program, a European Union financial instrument offering up to €150 billion in long-term loans for defense procurement. Zelenskyy highlighted that Finland’s support is important for our defense and for the resilience of Ukraine,
citing the need for greater use of Finland’s satellite capabilities.
Finland’s participation in the SAFE program aligns with its cooperation in defense initiatives.
Financial and Logistical Support Packages
Finland also pledged to donate 10 Dv12 diesel locomotives to Ukraine’s state railway operator, Ukrzaliznytsia, as part of the agreements. The locomotives would help Ukraine maintain transport capacity amid Russian attacks on railway infrastructure. Finland allocated €2 million for humanitarian aid and €5 million for winter preparedness. The agreements also include a certificate confirming the donation of ten diesel locomotives by Finland, signed by Ukrainian Prime Minister Sergii Koretskyi and Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo.
Today, we continue our cooperation with Finland – and very substantively. We are working comprehensively with the Government of Finland – with Prime Minister @PetteriOrpo. Thank you for this cooperation and for this level of relations between our countries. We have a new support… pic.twitter.com/2rl2uGpprS
— https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/2113323226889662887
The financial commitments extend beyond direct funding. The seven agreements signed during Orpo’s visit include measures worth €200 million under a separate drone deal, as mentioned by Zelenskyy. This deal, finalized in September 2026, focuses on defense cooperation, including technology exchange, joint research, and production of drones. Finland’s support for Ukraine’s energy sector includes measures to bolster the country’s power grid ahead of winter, as Russia intensifies attacks on infrastructure.
Context of Starlink Disruptions
The push for sovereign satellite systems comes after Ukrainian forces reported severe throttling of Starlink services on October 14, 2026, causing drones to malfunction. Nations need communications they can rely on in every situation,
Hautala said, adding that satellite networks are a key part of any secure communications system.
A Russian inspector satellite called Kosmos 2612 made an extremely close approach to ICEYE-X36, operated by ICEYE US, on October 22, 2026. ICEYE has previously secured defense contracts involving sovereign satellite capabilities, including a multi-year agreement with Sweden’s Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) to supply synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites for military surveillance.
Finland’s involvement in this effort aligns with its broader role in supporting Ukraine’s EU integration. President Alexander Stubb, who met with Zelenskyy in Oslo earlier in the week, discussed security, defense, and diplomatic issues. The agreements also include collaboration with the Finnish Industrial Council and plans for a Ukrainian-Finnish Industrial Council to boost defense and energy sector partnerships. These initiatives aim to strengthen economic and military ties between the two nations.
Have Starlink restrictions been lifted? Conflicting reports emergeOliver Carroll, a journalist at The Economist, said Ukraine’s Starlink speed restrictions may have been lifted.“Ukrainian drone commanders on the front line have told me that Starlink speed restrictions have… pic.twitter.com/U40nxANmXH
— https://x.com/nexta_tv/status/2113333313167298579
While the satellite cooperation remains at the exploratory stage, the agreements mark a significant step toward reducing Ukraine’s dependence on external systems. ICEYE and Nokia aim to launch their first communications satellites by 2028, though no specific timeline for Ukraine’s system has been announced. Zelenskyy reiterated that the partnership will strengthen Ukraine’s resilience and give it control over the connectivity it depends on.
The collaboration with Nokia and ICEYE is part of a broader strategy to diversify Ukraine’s satellite communications infrastructure and mitigate risks associated with foreign providers.
The agreements also reflect Finland’s commitment to Ukraine’s defense sector. The Office of the President of Finland stated that the cooperation is intended to strengthen the defense capabilities of both countries and promote the development of defense industries. This aligns with Finland’s role as a key partner in Ukraine’s efforts to modernize its military and infrastructure. The partnership with Nokia and ICEYE complements existing efforts to build a more resilient and technologically independent defense sector in Ukraine.
Ukraine has reached agreements with Nokia and Finnish company ICEYE on cooperation in satellite technologies.The plans include developing a Ukrainian satellite communications system for military use. pic.twitter.com/26oVKTZIKM
— https://x.com/nexta_tv/status/2113427684755673169