Russia's full-scale aggression against Ukraine revealed the scale of the new security challenges facing the European continent. Finland responded by joining the North Atlantic Alliance, transforming its long-standing cooperation with Poland into a formal partnership within the defense alliance. This represents an opportunity for both countries to work together to promote stability in Northeastern Europe. Finland, which is a  country with a long border with Russia, known for its social resilience, widespread defense preparedness, and strong civic democracy, brings unique experience in building security amidst geopolitical tensions to the NATO community.

Strategic partnerships create a need to better understand each other. Therefore, we encourage you to attend the Dean's Lecture by the Finnish Ambassador to Poland, Päivi Laine, entitled "Poland and Finland, Partnerships for Challenging Times."

Päivi Laine has been the Ambassador of Finland to Poland since 2022. Prior to her current position, she served as Ambassador to Ukraine (2019–2022) and Ambassador Extraordinary to Iraq (2016–2019). Since joining the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1995, Ambassador Laine has also held diplomatic posts in Moscow, Warsaw, London and Riga. She holds an MA degree in History from the University of Tampere. Ambassador Laine is a native Finnish speaker and fluent in English and Polish. She has also studied Swedish, Ukrainia, and German. Outside of her professional duties, Ambassador Laine enjoys the outdoors. She lives with her partner and has two adult children.

Source: Website of the Embassy of Finland in Poland