Tag: Baltic states
Why can’t the West agree on how much military aid to send to Ukraine?
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has been under enormous pressure to deliver Leopard tanks to Ukraine. The government in Kyiv has long argued it desperately needs them to retake territory seized by Russia in its 2022 invasion, and to protect the rest of Ukraine from the Kremlin’s looming spring offensive. So far, Berlin has refused, and […]
Macron doubles his security guarantees for Russia
The French president sees no viable alternative to possible negotiations with Moscow French President Emmanuel Macron has reiterated his belief that the conflict in Ukraine will inevitably be resolved at the negotiating table, and that the West and NATO in particular will need to come up with security guarantees not only for Kyiv, but also […]
GRETA conducts the third evaluation visit to Sweden – Measures against human trafficking
A delegation from the Council of Europe’s expert group on measures against human trafficking (GRETA) conducted an evaluation visit to Sweden on 24-28 October 2022 as part of the third evaluation round of Convention on Measures Against Trafficking in Human Beings. The focus of this evaluation round of the convention is on victims of human […]
Estonia proposes that NATO expand its missions
The defense minister says the US-led bloc should carry out underwater policing after the Nord Stream incident Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur has called on NATO to increase its patrols in the Baltic Sea, not only above but also underwater, following the recent explosions that knocked out the Russian gas pipelines Nord Stream 1 and […]
Estonia wants NATO to expand its missions
The defense minister says the US-led bloc should carry out underwater policing after the Nord Stream incident Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur has called on NATO to increase its patrols in the Baltic Sea, not only above but also underwater, following the recent explosions that knocked out the Russian gas pipelines Nord Stream 1 and […]
The Baltic States must increase the capacity for offshore wind power seven times by 2030
COPENHAGEN, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) — The leaders of nations bordering the Baltic Sea agreed on Tuesday to sevenfold their offshore wind power generation by 2030, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen told reporters here after hosting the Baltic Sea Energy Security Summit. Alongside Denmark, the declaration was also signed by Germany, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Sweden […]
Why were Russia and Denmark loyal allies for centuries
Sweden was once considered a European superpower. The Russians and Danes did everything they could to bring this glorious period for Sweden to a quick end. For almost five centuries the Danes were one of the most friendly European nations towards the Russians. The reason for the union of the two countries so culturally and […]
Finnish growth companies: Business subsidies should be redirected to research and development
R&D allocations in the state budget have recently increased. Source: Statistics Finland In the opinion of the Finnish Startup community, the goal is worthwhile, although not sufficient. Increasing R&D spending is easier by enabling and promoting the activities of the companies involved. New jobs are created in new growth-oriented companies. Solutions for long-term economic growth […]
Germany has lessons to learn about reducing gas demand to preserve EU unity
On Tuesday, the EU reached a draft agreement that member states will voluntarily reduce gas consumption by 15 percent from August to March. The load will fall unevenly given that some countries are more dependent than others on Russian gas. But beyond what the text says, analysts say countries that failed to heed warnings about […]
Sweden, Finland’s decision to join NATO will make us more confident: Joe Biden
Madrid [Spain]June 30 (ANI): In the midst of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, US President Joe Biden said on Thursday (local time) that Sweden’s and Finland’s decision to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) would increase the collective strength of the alliance and make it stronger and safer. On Twitter, Biden said, […]
At the NATO summit, Biden announces US reinforcements of NATO forces in Europe
Madrid [Spain]June 29 (ANI): US President Joe Biden on Wednesday announced significant US reinforcements of NATO forces in Europe to meet threats across all areas – land, air and sea, as the long-awaited transatlantic summit began in Madrid amid the furious the conflict in Ukraine. Together with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Biden declared new […]
NATO formally invites Finland, Sweden to join the military alliance
Madrid [Spain]June 29 (ANI): The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has formally invited Sweden and Finland to join the military alliance, said NATO Heads of State and Government in a declaration. “We reaffirm our commitment to NATO’s open door policy. Today we have decided to invite Finland and Sweden to join NATO, and have agreed […]
Zelenskyy calls on NATO to allow Ukraine into a military alliance
Madrid [Spain]June 29 (ANI): Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has once again appealed to European countries to allow their country into the military alliance of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). “Has Ukraine not paid enough?” Zelenskyy asked the leaders of the military alliance when they met in Madrid, Spain on Wednesday. “Is our contribution to […]
Finland, Sweden on the way to NATO membership when Turkey vetoes
MADRID / HELSINKI – NATO ally Turkey lifted its veto on Finland and Sweden’s attempt to join the Western Alliance on Tuesday after the three nations agreed to protect each other’s security, ending a week-long drama that tested Allied unity against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The breakthrough came after four hours of talks just before […]
More than 70% in the EU support economic sanctions against Russia
More than 70% of respondents in the EU agree with the introduction of economic sanctions against Russia, and two thirds believe that stricter sanctions should be introduced. Support for economic sanctions is particularly strong in the Scandinavian countries, the Baltic States, Romania, Poland and Ireland. These results are part of a new landmark EU survey, […]
Swedish, American troops exercise on the re-militarized Baltic Sea island
Visby, Sweden – Having to defend Gotland against a foreign invasion was such a far-fetched notion for Swedish decision-makers at the beginning of the century that they demilitarized the Baltic Sea. Now the Swedish Armed Forces is back, and they are practicing together with American troops not only how to defend the island with a […]
Sweden: a history of neutrality ends after 200 years
Sweden’s application to join NATO in May marks a major shift away from its long-standing position as a neutral state, dating back to 1812. But after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the decision now seems to receive broad political support in the Swedish government, parliament and population. Swedish public support for NATO membership has gradually increased […]
Latvia: If Ukraine loses, we are next
Latvia’s Defense Minister Artis Pabriks called on partners to increase support for Ukraine so that they do not have to defend Latvia later, the Delphi portal reported. “Ukraine is now fighting our war – and if it loses, the next one will come and we will pay the price for it,” Pabriks said. He added […]
Britain, Spain are worried about Russian threat
Moscow’s increased activities in Africa could threaten NATO security, London and Madrid claim Russia’s growing presence on the African continent could pose a “worrying” threat to NATO’s southern flank, Spanish Defense Secretary Margarita Robles and British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace told a joint news conference in Madrid on Wednesday. African nations such as Libya and […]
Plan for US troops in Europe revealed
New bases and additional numbers are also possible in a show of strength against Russia, reports CNN The United States plans to retain 100,000 troops in Eastern Europe for the foreseeable future, which could potentially even increase the number if they experience a threat from Russia against NATO or its two new members, Sweden and […]
Plans unveiled for US to retain troops in Europe
New bases and additional numbers are also possible in a show of strength against Russia, reports CNN The United States plans to retain 100,000 troops in Eastern Europe for the foreseeable future, which could potentially even increase the number if they experience a threat from Russia against NATO or its two new members, Sweden and […]
Tuesday’s Press: Turkey Demands, NATO Voting and Lions Continue to Win at Home
President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoğan reiterated on Monday night that it was opposed to Finland’s and Sweden’s membership of NATO, saying that Turkey did not intend to support either country as a member of NATO. Iltalehti tells about it that at the same time Erdoğan showed that it would be pointless for Finland and […]
Driven NATO expansions Vladimir Putin to war
The combination of Russia’s decades-old fears of a NATO expansion to the east and its own invasion of Ukraine seems to have had a negative effect: non-aligned Finland and Sweden are strongly considering joining the anti-Russian alliance and increasing tense resistance between Moscow and the West. “A kind of ‘new isolation’ is how the Russian […]
Finland wants to join NATO “without delay” in a major political shift
Finland has announced that it is in favor of joining NATO, a major political shift triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Its neighbor, Sweden, is expected to decide to join the military alliance in the coming days. “Finland must apply for NATO membership without delay,” President Sauli Niinisto and Prime Minister Sanna Marin said in […]
Authoritarian leaders slaughter covid-19 responses, leading to deaths
The World Health Organization (WHO) last week updated its report on redundant deaths from covid-19which highlights an extraordinary correlation between deaths and authoritarian leaders. It also highlights how well Australia handled covid-19 in both 2020 and 2021, although the deaths in covid-19 2022 are now increasing and significantly exceeding the deaths in 2020 and 2021. […]
Tuesday’s newspapers: strikes, Marin to Berlin and former British diplomat offers protection to Finland
Municipal strikes began on Tuesday in cities across the country and affected about 81,000 workers. Helsingin Sanomat wrote that kindergartens, schools, libraries, food services, sports halls and other municipal services are affected by the strike in Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa, Kauniainen, Jyväskylä, Kuopio, Oulu, Rovaniemi, Tampere and Turku. HS wrote that the most important requirement for […]
China says NATO’s military alliance has survived the origins of the Cold War
NATO’s military exercises will begin near the borders of Russia and Ukraine, while Sweden and Finland are considering membership in the Western Alliance. At the same time, Beijing, which is sympathetic to Moscow, questions NATO’s credibility and says the alliance has survived its original Cold War purpose. During his daily press conference on April 28, […]
Russia warns Finland, Sweden to join NATO
Moscow [Russia]April 15 (ANI): Russia on Thursday warned Sweden and Finland to join NATO and said they would “more than double” their troops in Russia’s western flank. Vice President of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev issued the warning and wrote in a statement on Telegram on Thursday that the ground and air defense forces […]
Ukraine’s summary: Donbas prepares for a “knife fight”
As forecast, the focus of hostilities in Ukraine has shifted away from Kyiv and north to south and east of the country where Russia is expected to launch an offensive at any time now. In addition to the siege of the port city of Mariupol, where Ukrainian marines are reported to have capitulated in large […]
Mariupol is still Ukrainian, says mayor of besieged port city
Ukraine said it was not opening humanitarian corridors on Wednesday that would allow civilians to evacuate, accusing Russian forces of violating agreements on granting safe passage. Mariupol’s mayor, Vadym Boichenko, told a press conference that Russian forces had destroyed all the buses slated for use in evacuations. Follow the day’s events as they unfolded on […]
Live: The situation in Ukraine “too dangerous” for humanitarian corridors
Ukraine said it did not open humanitarian corridors on Wednesday that would allow civilians to evacuate, and accused Russian forces of violating agreements to grant safe passage. Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said the routes were “too dangerous” at the moment. Follow FRANCE 24’s live blog for all the latest updates. All times are […]
The Pentagon opens hotline with Russia
The United States and Russia have set up a “deconflict” hotline to avoid misunderstandings that could trigger escalation, the Pentagon said. US and Russian militaries have established a “deconline line” to prevent misunderstandings or accidents from escalating into a war between Moscow and NATO, the Pentagon confirmed on Thursday. “The United States still has a […]
Has Ukraine triggered a geopolitical awakening in Europe
Lviv, Ukraine – Western media have been keen to explain in sweeping geopolitical terms why Ukraine plays a role – probably for fear that readers and audiences may believe that the fate of a remote country on the outskirts of Europe does not matter to them. But they may be preaching to the converts, according […]
The Finnish and Swedish foreign ministers will meet with NATO and say they want to stay on top
Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland Pekka Haavisto (Green) joined his Swedish counterpart Ann Linde meeting with the NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at Alliance headquarters in Brussels on Monday. They are said to be discussing security concerns over tensions between Russia and Ukraine. In a press conference after the meeting, Stoltenberg reiterated that co-operation […]
Thoughts on European streets are explained by Russia
Armored vehicles were pictured rolling through the streets of a Swedish city when the military quoted “tensions?” between Russia and Ukraine Sweden has moved to increase security on Gotland’s largest Baltic Sea island in order to? Adapt? its security strategy to the? tense situation? on the Russian-Ukrainian border, located about 1,700 km southeast. Residents of […]
