The decision has come under renewed scrutiny after local newspapers Vantaan Sanomat and Helsingin Uutiset reported they were unable to establish how the funding proposal reached the government's agenda.
Speaking to Yle and Helsingin Sanomat, Vapaavuori rejected suggestions that the project had received preferential treatment because both he and Orpo are members of the National Coalition Party.
Vapaavuori said he first approached senior officials at the Ministry of Finance in January 2024, including Permanent Secretary Juha Majanen and Budget Director Mika Niemelä, before later informing the Prime Minister's Office about the proposal.
He said his conversations with Orpo were brief rather than formal negotiations.
"I have not negotiated with Orpo about this at all. I mentioned the project in passing on a few occasions, but most of our discussions were with Ministry of Finance officials and, to some extent, the Prime Minister's Office," Vapaavuori told Helsingin Sanomat.
