Helsinki Security Forum

Delighted to speak at this truly excellent conference.
#HSF25

Over and out! #HSF2025 has come to an end.

A big thank you to all our speakers, guests, and livestream followers for an inspiring and information-packed weekend!

We are excited to announce that HSF will return in 2026.
Thank you – and see you next year for #HSF2026!

The final panel of #HSF2025 explored the future of European security. The discussion, co-organised with @sitra.fi, highlighted the comprehensive approach to security.

Democratic values, the rule of law & social, environmental, and economic dimensions are the building blocks of a resilient Europe.

Sunday #HSF2025 offered heavy expertise under a light title: “Sauer & Sauer: Has the German Zeitenwende Gone Sour?”

Ambassador Kai Sauer and Head of Research @drfranksauer.bsky.social took the stage to discuss shifting German attitudes toward defence spending, the will to defend, and Russia.

A panel discussion with five people on stage.

Steve Tsang talking.

Experts Steve Tsang, @rorymedcalf.bsky.social, @ackristiina.bsky.social & Mikael Mattlin discuss China's role in the global order with Bobo Lo as the moderator at #HSF2025.

💡 "What China wants is what Xi Jinping wants" Tsang explains, "China has no intention doing what the US requires."

Expert speakers of the #HSF2025 Russia panel included @sinikukka.bsky.social , @scharap.bsky.social, @nigelgould-davies.bsky.social and @hannanotte.bsky.social. The panel was moderated by @theguardian.com correspondent @shaunwalker7.bsky.social.

Sunday #HSF2025 opened with a pressing topic: Russia and the future of European security order.

European security is about resources and resolve, said Senior Fellow @nigelgould-davies.bsky.social.

“We do have the material capabilities – it’s up to us to summon the political will to act.”

Helsinki Security Forum 2025: The Hour of Europe YouTube video by FIIA – Finnish Institute of International Affairs

The third and final day of #HSF2025 is here!

Today’s agenda spans a wide global range from Russia to China, and finally to Europe and the future of its security.

📽️ Follow the livestream here: www.youtube.com/live/FA0SyRj...

The last panel of #HSF2025 Saturday focused on nuclear posture. Moderator @kimdozier.bsky.social led a panel with @pranayrvaddi.bsky.social, Peter Watkins & Katarzyna Zysk to discuss on the theme “Preserving Peace and Preventing Aggression: NATO’s Nuclear Posture in the Future Threat Environment.”

@terischultz.bsky.social moderated.

Heikki Autto on stage.

Johannes Koskinen on stage.

At #HSF2025, @heikkiautto.bsky.social and Johannes Koskinen emphasised that Finns remain strongly committed to national defence and NATO.

“We must remain alert to hybrid threats – they are the new normal,” Autto said, reassuring the public: “We are vigilant – do not worry.”

Peter MacKay talking.

Just now, @PeterMacKay, former Minister of National Defence and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Canada talked

🔹recent change in Arctic Security
🔹Russia's presence in the Arctic
🔹the interplay between security and climate

with @charlyjsp.bsky.social, CEO of Nordic West Office at #HSF2025

Patria equipment and HSF guests

HSF guests and conscripts

#HSF2025 guests had the unique opportunity to visit the Santahamina garrison. During the excursion, we received an insightful overview of the operations at Santahamina and the Jaeger brigade, observed conscripts’ training in the city simulator, and explored Patria’s equipment.

In #HSF2025 interview, US Senator @gallego.senate.gov assesses the US response to Russia’s security violations in Europe. The US should be doing more, he says.

“Our foreign policy stems from what the President feels that day. That is not how we are used to doing statecraft."
@charlyjsp.bsky.social

#HSF2025 guests got the chance to visit @nokia.bsky.social Executive Experience Center and learn about the role of network technology in security infrastructure.

The critical questions are: who gets to control the networks and how can we ensure that the networks are reliable?

Amid recent violations of Estonian airspace, the #HSF2025 book talk with author of 'Baltic – The Future of Europe', was strikingly timely.

Moderator Iro Särkkä asked whether this is the Hour of the Baltic, and if the region is where Europe’s future is decided.

How should lessons from Ukraine shape the future of warfare?

At #HSF2025 panel Janne Jaakkola, Michael Kofman, Johannes Arlt & Teri Schultz discussed the balance between new and traditional military capabilities.

Both innovations and conventional systems are needed on the modern battlefield.

Anna Katariina Wisakanto, Markus Holmgren, Hiski Haukkala, Mikko Hyppönen and Joel Predd on stage.

#HSF2025 The age of AI agents panel explored the implications of AI for safety and security.

GenAI is the first technology capable of evolving itself. This raises urgent questions: Who is in control? What does safety mean — and what does security demand?

Europe needs to build up credible and competitive defence capabilities, says Elina Valtonen, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland, in a #HSF2025 interview with Oliver Moody of The Times.

"Even if there was a peace deal or ceasefire in Ukraine, it would not mean the threat of Russia is fading."

"We should ask for help from Ukraine to NATO – in the areas where they are now the cutting edge of the world."

At #HSF2025, David Petraeus emphasised the value Ukraine brings to NATO:

"Ukraine has far more expertise, experience and capabilities in counter-drone operations."

Europe's security begins at its borders.

The #HSF2025 stage opened with an interview with Ukraine's new Ambassador to Finland Mykhailo Vydoinuk, joined by Teri Schultz.

“Geography is simple. Before a missile can reach Paris, it needs to go through Poland or Finland. Protect the Eastern flank."

The second day of Helsinki Security Forum 2025 is starting!

Today’s programme features high-level interviews on stage, and thought-provoking panels on:
▫️ The Future of Warfare
▫️ The Age of AI Agents: The Implications for Safety and Security

Follow the #HSF2025 livestream: helsinkisecurityforum.fi

“Technological dominance in the AI world will equal military dominance.”

At #HSF2025 panel with Nokia and VTT, Sauli Eloranta and Mikko Hautala discussed the role of technology in European security and competitiveness.

To keep up with great powers, Europe must step up its digital capabilities.

Speakers @jpuglierin.bsky.social, @pesumatti.bsky.social, @matellysy.bsky.social and Esa Rautalinko on stage with the moderator James Heappey.

Speakers: Sylvie Matelly, Director, Jacques Delors Institut Matti Pesu, Senior Research Fellow, FIIA Jana Puglierin, Head of Berlin Office, Senior Policy Fellow, ECFR Esa Rautalinko, President and CEO, Patria and a Moderator: James Heappey, Former UK Minister of State for the Armed Forces & Minister for Defence Procurement on stage.

First panel discussion of #HSF2025 focused on strengthening the European defence pillar.

Money is a relatively easy issue to solve. What’s more difficult are systemic changes, engaging citizens, and committing to the multifaceted goals that a functional defence requires.

Melissa Heikkilä on stage with Henna Virkkunen.

Executive Vice-president of the European Commission Henna Virkkunen.

Europe has strong innovation capacity and solid scientific expertise, said Executive Vice-president of the European Commission Henna Virkkunen in an interview with @melissahei.bsky.social.

Europe must enable support for these innovations and promote the development of critical capabilities.

President Alexander Stubb on stage with Melissa Heikkilä.

President Alexander Stubb in Helsinki Security Forum 2025.

At #HSF2025 opening session, President Alexander Stubb emphasized the need for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, in an interview with @melissahei.bsky.social.

First should come a ceasefire—then a lasting peace, built with global support.

The official programme of #HSF2025 is now live!

Over the next three days, we are pleased to welcome high-level decision-makers and experts to the stage.

Today opens with an interview with President Alexander Stubb.

📺 Follow the livestream: helsinkisecurityforum.fi

Hiski Haukkala, Hanna Ojanen ja Panu Karhunen lavalla.

@fiia.fi johtaja @haukkala.bsky.social ja TAUn tutkimusjohtaja Hanna Ojanen keskustelivat Suomen turvaamisesta #HSF2025 ennakkotapahtumassa.

Turvallisuuden tekijöinä mainittu mm. kv-yhteistyö, riippumaton tiedonvälitys ja Suomen taloudellinen kasvu.

Tilaisuus yhteistyössä @iltasanomat kanssa

Antti Häkkänen ja Panu Karhunen lavalla.

Puolustusministeri Antti Häkkänen painottaa EU:n varautumisen tärkeyttä myös tulevaisuudessa ja rauhan aikana.

Hanskojen tippuminen on vaarallista, toteaa Häkkänen.

#HSF2025 ennakkotapahtuma järjestetään yhteistyössä @iltasanomat.bsky.social kanssa.