Finnish Foreign Ministry takes care of Finns who want to fight for Ukraine
4 February 15:07
Finland has prepared a guide for those citizens who are going to serve as volunteers in Ukraine, those who are going to do so, and their relatives. The information for volunteers is posted on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland, informs
The Finnish Foreign Ministry emphasizes that Ukraine is waging a legitimate defensive war in accordance with the UN Charter against Russia’s illegal war of aggression, and Finland supports Ukraine in many ways, but does not send or encourage anyone to perform combat missions. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also neither recommends nor encourages such volunteering, but whenever possible, assists Finns in Ukraine in accordance with the Consular Service Act.
Potential Finnish volunteers are reminded that it is not a crime in Finland to voluntarily participate in the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
“Finnish national legislation or international humanitarian law does not restrict voluntary membership in the Ukrainian armed forces. A volunteer who has joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine is subject to the laws of Ukraine and international humanitarian law,” the Foreign Ministry said.
At the same time, they remind that even in war there are rules and if a volunteer soldier is suspected of committing, for example, a war crime, he can also be prosecuted in Finland.
“War crimes include, for example, the intentional killing of civilians or prisoners of war, torture or inhuman treatment, and intentional attacks on civilians. The fact that a person has obeyed an order from a superior does not exempt him or her from criminal liability. Even a single act can be a war crime,” the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs website says.
The memo contains many explanations and warnings. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for example, warns Finnish volunteers that the possibilities of providing consular assistance in Ukraine are limited and if a volunteer, for example, signs a contract to serve with the Armed Forces, the embassy or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs cannot help terminate the contract.
How foreigners serve in the Ukrainian Defense Forces
In early March 2022, it was reported that up to 20,000 foreigners from 52 countries had volunteered to fight in the International Legion.

The Legion now includes soldiers from all continents. Citizens of the United States, the United Kingdom, Poland, the Baltic States, Canada, Norway, Finland, and Denmark are the most represented. These countries make up 70-80% of foreign volunteers.
While at first foreigners could only join the ranks of the Territorial Defense Forces, where a separate unit, the International Legion of Territorial Defense of Ukraine, was formed, later on, volunteers from different countries had more opportunities. They now have the opportunity to serve not only in the Armed Forces, but also in the National Guard and other military formations.
In fact, the Ukrainian state is trying to respond to requests from foreign volunteers. For example, in August last year, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that foreign volunteers from the Ukrainian Defense Forces and their family members would be able to obtain Ukrainian citizenship. The day before, as reported by
In October, a law amending the procedure for contract military service by foreigners and stateless persons came into force. This law allows them to sign contracts for officer positions with the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the State Special Transport Service, and the National Guard of Ukraine. Before the law was passed, foreign nationals could only serve as soldiers and sergeants. Contracts for officer positions can be concluded for a period of 1 to 5 years.