Tag: Crimea
More than 600,000 Germans signed a petition to end heavy weapons supplies to Ukraine as 10,000 demonstrated in Berlin for peace
Notables including former Vice President of the European Commission Gunter Verheugen, former Brigadier General Erich Vadpress corps Franz Alt and Gisela Marxpoliticians Oskar Lafontaine and Jürgen Todenhoferand political scientists Come on Funke and Ulrike Guerot were among the first to sign the petition. The authors of the petition stated that “with the support of the […]
Pål Jonson (M): That is why we are sending Leopard to Ukraine
The government will send Leopard tanks and air defense systems to Ukraine in a new arms package. It includes about ten Leopard tanks that will work together with the fifty combat vehicles 90 that Sweden has already decided to donate. The weapons are to be coordinated with contributions from other countries, including Leopard tanks, which […]
Biden’s alleged meddling in Baltic Sea could be a game-changer
Investigative journalist Seymour Hersh, Pulitzer Prize Winner for his reportage on the infamous My Lai Massacre during the Vietnam War, has just broken the colossal true story of how America took out Russias Nord Stream I & II LNG Pipelines. Hershs account now affords all concerned to more clearly see and understand what the real […]
Hersh claims Russia’s Nord Stream 1 and 2 blown up on order of Biden
WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Navy’s Diving and Salvage Center can be found in a location as obscure as its name-down what was once a country lane in rural Panama City, a now-booming resort city in the southwestern panhandle of Florida, 70 miles south of the Alabama border. The center’s complex is as nondescript as […]
The military that started the war is condemning Russia
Russia has been unanimous about the invasion of Ukraine. Now comes several critical statements from Russian former military personnel about the slim chances of the Russian army to win. Among other things, hear about Igor Girkin, who led the first armed groups that started the war in Donbass and was a key player in 2014 […]
Putin vows to continue targeting Ukraine’s power grid
President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Russia will continue to strike Ukraine’s energy grid after waves of missile attacks have left parts of the country without clean water and electricity. Pope Francis broke down and wept as he spoke about the suffering of Ukrainians during a prayer at Rome’s Spanish Steps. Read our live […]
Live: Putin vows to continue targeting Ukraine’s power grid
President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Russia will continue to strike Ukraine’s energy grid after waves of missile attacks have left parts of the country without clean water and electricity. Pope Francis broke down and wept as he spoke about the suffering of Ukrainians during a prayer at Rome’s Spanish Steps. Follow our live […]
Live: Kremlin sees ‘risk’ of Ukrainian attacks on annexed Crimea
The Kremlin said Thursday that Crimea was vulnerable to Ukrainian attacks after the Russian military downed a drone near the peninsula’s largest city, home to a key Russian naval base. The comments came a day after President Vladimir Putin admitted that Russia’s war in Ukraine would be “a long process”. Follow our live blog for […]
Winter campaign
As the conflict drags on for ten months, what initially seemed like a three-day rush to Kiev has slowed to a slow, grinding war of attrition. The front lines, with the major exceptions of Kharkiv and Kherson, have remained mostly static. In the Kharkiv region, Russians settled on the outskirts of the city of Kharkiv […]
Live: Sweden confirms Nord Stream pipeline sabotage
Investigators have found traces of explosives at the site of the damaged Nord Stream pipelines, confirming that sabotage had taken place, a Swedish prosecutor said on Friday. Follow our live blog for the latest developments. All times are Paris time (GMT+1) 11:25 a.m.: The Kremlin is saying nothing about the Putin-Biden summit at this time […]
Live: China urges ‘calm’ after missile strike in Poland
China on Wednesday called for “calm” following a deadly missile strike on a Polish village near the border with Ukraine. Follow FRANCE 24’s live blog for the latest developments. All times are Paris time (GMT+1). 9:27am: NATO holds emergency talks after missile lands in Poland Ambassadors from the 30 NATO nations gathered in Brussels Wednesday […]
Eastern European countries support more refugees from Ukraine
Eastern European countries such as Slovakia and Hungary are bracing for an increase in the number of refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine in the coming months as winter approaches. Russia has targeted power and heating plants in Ukraine in recent months. Temperatures drop below zero Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit), with minus 20 degrees Celsius […]
Putin says civilians in Ukraine’s Kherson should be evacuated
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that civilians in Ukraine’s Kherson region should be evacuated from the conflict zone, the Kremlin chief’s first acknowledgement of a deteriorating situation in a region he claims to have annexed. Read FRANCE 24’s liveblog below to see how the day’s events unfolded. All times are Paris local time […]
Some 4.5 million Ukrainians temporarily without power, says Zelensky
Some 4.5 million Ukrainians, more than 10% of the pre-war population, were temporarily without power on Thursday evening due to Russian attacks, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a video address. Kyiv earlier on Thursday condemned the “mass forced relocation” of its citizens living in regions occupied by Russia. Read our live blog to see how […]
Live: 4.5 million Ukrainians temporarily without power, says Zelensky
Some 4.5 million Ukrainians, more than 10% of the pre-war population, were temporarily without power on Thursday evening due to Russian attacks, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a video address. Kyiv earlier on Thursday condemned the “mass forced relocation” of its citizens living in regions occupied by Russia. Follow our live blog for the latest […]
Zelensky calls for ‘long-term protection’ of Ukraine grain corridor
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said Tuesday that the grain shipping corridor to get food out of his country, part of an agreement Russia has suspended, needs reliable, long-term protection. Lawyers in Britain earlier took the first step towards what they said was “groundbreaking” legal action against Russia’s shadowy Wagner group over allegations it committed “terrorism” […]
Live: France accuses Russia of endangering world food supply
French President Emmanuel Macron, during a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday, accused Russia of endangering the world’s food supply by suspending its participation in a Ukrainian grain deal. Macron also assured Zelensky that France would help Ukraine get through the winter and help repair water and energy infrastructure damaged by Russian […]
Live: Water, power supply in Kyiv restored after missile attack
Kiev’s mayor said water and electricity had been restored to residents after “massive” missile strikes on the capital by Russian forces. Meanwhile, Russian-installed officials in Ukraine’s southern Kherson region announced the extension of an evacuation zone further from the Dnipro River, saying Ukraine may prepare to attack the Kakhovka dam and flood the region. Follow […]
Russia stops participation in UN agreement that allows Ukraine to export grain
Moscow has suspended implementation of a UN-brokered grain export deal that has allowed more than 9 million tonnes of grain to be exported from Ukraine, helping to ease the global food crisis and lower prices. The Russian Defense Ministry said it would no longer guarantee the safety of cargo ships participating in the UN-led initiative, […]
Kamikaze drones create the new horror of war
When the bridge between the Russian mainland and the annexed Crimean peninsula is blown up, Vladimir Putin responds with attacks on Ukrainian cities. Among the missiles targeting civilians are Iranian suicide drones. And drones have a big role in the war in Ukraine, not least in propaganda. On Twitter, for example, there are constantly new […]
Guest opinion: Genocide as liberation
Russian President Vladimir Putin has often demonstrated the clarity of his goals during the war in Ukraine. As has happened with each and every case of celebration in Ukraine, moments of peace do not last very long, and on October 10 that became more than evident. After what felt like a personal victory for every […]
This is how Putin escalates the war in Ukraine
After the dramatic explosion on the Kerch bridge connecting Russia and the occupied Crimean peninsula, Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused Ukraine of blowing up the bridge. Before the Russian Security Council, Putin also claimed that Ukraine was also behind other attacks on Russian-controlled territory. The Russian response came quickly – Russia has carried out […]
Russia ready to restart supplies, ball in the EU: Putin on gas supplies via the Nord Stream 2 pipeline
If they want, let them turn on the faucet and that’s it. We will not limit anyone anywhere, including our readiness to supply additional quantities in the fall-winter season,” Reuters reported. He said that Europe’s prosperity in recent decades was based on cooperation with Russia. “I have repeatedly said that Nord Streams has no political […]
Summary of Xinhua world news at 1530 GMT, 10 October
Kyiv – Several explosions occurred in the Shevchenkivskyi district here in the Ukrainian capital on Monday morning, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko told The Telegram. The explosions have resulted in casualties, according to the press service of the state rescue service in Kyiv. (Ukraine-Explosions) – – – – MOSCOW – The Crimean Bridge explosion was undoubtedly […]
Why is Putin threatening nuclear weapons?
After the explosion on the Kerch Bridge connecting Crimea with Russia, Russia has again attacked the city of Zaporizhzhia.But in the past week, Russian President Putin has warned that nuclear weapons may be used if the country’s “territorial integrity” is threatened. The other day, US President Joe Biden raised the tone and warned that the […]
Right now: Paasikivi about the explosion on the Krimbron
The Crimean Bridge, which runs between the annexed Crimean peninsula and the Russian mainland, has been partially destroyed in a powerful explosion. According to Ukrainian correspondent Lubna El-Shanti, this could have major consequences for Russia: “The bridge is both symbolically important, and important for the Russian military supply”. Hear El-Shanti and Joakim Paasikivi, lieutenant colonel […]
At 70, Is Putin Still The Russian Public’s Irreplaceable Man?
Russian President Vladimir Putin marks his 70th birthday on October 7. The jubilee comes at a time when the increasingly authoritarian leader faces some of the most daunting challenges of his two-plus decades in power, having gambled all his achievements on an increasingly costly and troublesome war against neighboring Ukraine. Despite a relentless crackdown on […]
EU proposes new Russia sanctions including oil price cap
The EU’s executive on Wednesday proposed a new round of sanctions on Moscow over its latest “escalation” in Ukraine, including an oil price cap and ban on Russian exports worth seven billion euros. Read our live blog to see how all the day’s events unfolded. All times are Paris time (GMT+2). This live page is […]
National Round-Up: Municipalities take measures to lower energy consumption
Schools can lower the temperaturePrimary schools are also looking at lowering heating temperatures to reduce energy consumption. Svendborg Municipality has already lowered the temperatures from 21 to 20 degrees in all its primary schools and kindergartens. The Danish Energy Agency also encourages households to cut down on energy consumption at home and has made a […]
Macron approves NATO expansion
More than two-thirds of the alliance’s members have now agreed to the accession of Finland and Sweden French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday signed the official documents approving Finland’s and Sweden’s applications to become NATO members. While Macron once called the US-led military bloc “brain death,” he has changed tack since Russia began its military […]
Live: First Ukrainian grain shipment passes inspection in Turkey
A Russian and Ukrainian team carried out an inspection in Istanbul on Wednesday of a cargo ship carrying the first shipment of grain from Ukraine since the Kremlin’s invasion, Turkish officials said. Follow FRANCE 24’s live blog for the latest developments. All times are Paris time (GMT+2). 18:52: UN launches fact-finding mission in Ukraine’s prison […]
Live: First Ukrainian grain shipment heading to Lebanon
A cargo ship carrying the first shipment of grain from Ukraine since the Kremlin’s invasion is on its way to its final destination in Tripoli, Lebanon, after a Russian and Ukrainian team completed an inspection of the vessel in Istanbul on Wednesday. Follow FRANCE 24’s live blog for the latest developments. All times are Paris […]
First Ukrainian grain shipment heading to Lebanon
A cargo ship carrying the first shipment of grain from Ukraine since the Kremlin’s invasion is on its way to its final destination in Tripoli, Lebanon, after a Russian and Ukrainian team completed an inspection of the vessel in Istanbul on Wednesday. Read about today’s events as they unfolded. All times are Paris time (GMT+2). […]
HS: Finnish researchers were pressured to limit their criticism of Russia
“But you don’t have to go back too many months to when we still had them,” he added. Aaltola said that the restrictions have typically manifested as self-censorship, when researchers have had to think about what they can say without burning bridges by worrying about future funding and relationships with interviewees. There have also been […]
Ukraine: Russian shelling kills 2 in Kharkiv
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Wednesday that Moscow wants to seize territory in southern Ukraine beyond the eastern Donbas region as the United States and its allies committed more military aid to Ukraine. Russia failed in the early stages of its five-month offensive to topple the government of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy or capture […]
Russia’s Lavrov: Moscow wants more territory than Donbas
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Wednesday that Moscow wants to conquer territory in southern Ukraine beyond the eastern Donbas region, where Ukrainian forces are currently fighting for control. Russia failed in the early stages of its five-month offensive to overthrow the government of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky or to capture the capital, Kyiv, […]
The trial of the murder of Malin Lindström and the man’s new version
The man has continued to deny the crime. But during the hearing in the Court of Appeal for Nedre Norrland given a completely new version that includes criminals that he does not want to name and that he was with them at the place where Malin was found. In the episode, you hear, among other […]
Governor of the Central Bank: Russia’s isolation affects especially the economy of Eastern Finland
According to the Governor of the Bank of Finland, Russia’s isolation from the West, which has been caused by the international outrage over its attack on Ukraine, especially affects the economy and future prospects of Eastern Finland. Olli Rehn. "The cruel and illegal war of aggression launched by Russia has greatly disrupted the European economy," […]
The former president explains what could trigger NATO wars with Russia
An attack on Crimea from Ukraine could lead to World War III, Medvedev has warned Ukraine could unleash a world war by attacking Crimea, if it becomes a full NATO member, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has warned. “For us, Crimea is part of Russia. And it will be so forever. Any attempt to invade […]
The attack on Crimea could trigger Medvedev during World War III
An attack on the peninsula from Ukraine could lead to a war between Russia and NATO, the former president has warned Ukraine could unleash a world war by attacking Crimea, if it becomes a full NATO member, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has warned. “For us, Crimea is part of Russia. And it will be […]
Macchiarini case and throats that kill
This week, P3 Crimea gives the full story of the Macchiarini scandal and explains why he was eventually convicted. We hear, among other things, his deceived ex-girlfriend Benita Alexander and the doctor and researcher Kjell Asplund who investigated the whole scandal. Can the law rule on fraudulent medical care? Participants: * Kjell Asplund, Professor Emeritus […]
Swedish, American troops carry out exercises on the Baltic Sea
GOTLAND, Sweden: US Marines and the Swedish Armed Forces have made airdrops and amphibious landings on the island of Gotland, with a population of 58,000, as part of a NATO exercise in the Baltic Sea, entitled BALTOPS. About 7,000 soldiers and 45 ships from 14 NATO countries as well as Sweden and Finland participated in […]
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 […]
The future of the Arctic Council is uncertain because of an isolated Russia
The Russian media has reported that the accession of Finland and Sweden to NATO may have long-term effects on Arctic co-operation. If Finland and Sweden join NATO, then, with the exception of Russia, all the remaining seven Arctic Council countries will be members of the military alliance. Other members of the Arctic Council are the […]
Fennovoima suspends the construction of a nuclear power plant in Pyhäjoki
The energy company Fennovoima has withdrawn its application for a construction permit for its Hanhikivi 1 nuclear power plant, according to a press release on Tuesday. Earlier this month, the company announced that it had terminated an agreement with the Russian state-owned nuclear power company Rosatom. Work on the Pyhäjoki nuclear power plant has come […]
By throwing their ties with Russia, Sweden and Finland’s leaders are taking their people on a dangerous path
Neutrality has been abandoned without any objective reason other than American-driven Russophobia Sweden and Finland have broken their neutrality status and are seeking NATO membership in response to Russia’s military operation in Ukraine. It is the latest sign that entire countries are falling for the media’s anti-Russian games. After years of relatively calm relations with […]
Russia: 959 Ukrainian troops surrender in Mariupol
Russia’s defense minister said on Wednesday that 959 Ukrainian troops had surrendered this week at the last stronghold in the besieged port city of Mariupol. A ministry spokesman told reporters that the number included 694 who had capitulated in the past 24 hours. Ukrainian officials have not confirmed the figures. Ukraine’s Deputy Defense Minister Anna […]
Latest developments in Ukraine: 18 May
For full coverage of the crisis in Ukraine, visit Flash point Ukraine. Recent developments in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. All times EDT: 02:00: In its latest intelligence report on the battlefield on Wednesday, the British Ministry of Defense said that “strong Ukrainian resistance delayed Russia’s ability to gain full control of” Mariupol despite […]
Russia on the way to control Mariupol
The fall of the Ukrainian port of Mariupol to Russia seemed imminent on Tuesday as Ukraine moved to abandon the city’s vast steelworks, and hundreds of Kyiv warriors held there surrendered to Russian forces in an agreement reached by the warring parties. The conquest of Mariupol, a pre-war city of 430,000 people along the north […]
The US envoy weighs in on Ukraine’s NATO prospects
Ukraine can still join the US-led military bloc and do so in a faster time frame, says Washington’s ambassador to Kyiv A Ukrainian application to join NATO could benefit from a fast-track procedure – without complying with the Membership Action Plan (MAP) – the US Ambassador to Kyiv, Kristina Kvien, has revealed. The US-led bloc […]
The Kremlin declares a relaxed stance on possible NATO expansion
Unlike Ukraine, Finland and Sweden have no territorial disputes with Russia, says the Kremlin’s press secretary Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has explained why NATO’s efforts in Ukraine were more worrying for Russia than Finland’s and Sweden’s, which officially announced on Sunday that they were looking to join the US-led military bloc. “We have no territorial […]
Finland’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest ranks 21st as Europe rages around Ukraine
Finnish entrance "Jezebel" rock-pop veterans The Rasmus earned 38 points on Saturday night in the finals of the Eurovision Song Contest in Turin, Italy, including 26 points from the audience. Founded in Helsinki in 1994, The Rasmus was one of Finland’s most internationally successful bands of the early 2000s. After a five-year recording break, the […]
Eurovision: With Russia excluded, Ukraine wins the political competition
Italy will host the final of the 66th Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday night with a country particularly absent: Russia was excluded from the competition in February after its invasion of Ukraine. Despite the competition organizers’ insistence that the competition is a non-political event, the conflict in Europe seems to dominate the public vote. Investments […]
Spring tourism in Paris is flourishing despite the pandemic, Ukraine conflict
France is experiencing a spring renaissance for its tourism industry, especially in Paris. Ljusstaden saw a huge influx of visitors to the April Easter break, a trend that tourism officials say fortunately continues. International tourism arrivals worldwide have more than doubled, an increase of 130 percent in January 2022 compared to the same period last […]
Kalush Orchestra: A win here at Eurovision would mean a lot to the Ukrainian people
Kalush Orchestra: All the wins right now are very important to us, and a win here in the Eurovision Song Contest would mean a lot to the Ukrainian people That’s what Oleh Psiuk, frontman of the Kalush Orchestra, Ukraine’s favorite tipped entry in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, says. Their song is called “Stefania” and […]
What Russia looked like in 1982
The early 1980s was the period known as the Era of Stagnation, or as Leonid Brezhnev called it – real socialism. The Soviet leader who had ruled for almost two decades eventually died that year, setting the country on the path to the period of change known as Perestroika. The Soviet leader, the general secretary […]
Fennovoima pulls a plug from a Russian nuclear power plant
The Finnish energy company Fennovoima has terminated its agreement with the Russian state-owned company Rosatom to build a nuclear power plant on the west coast of Finland. The company mentioned significant delays and Rosatom "inability to carry out the project"and added that the war in Ukraine has exacerbated the risks of the project. Fennovoima’s CEO […]
Speaker of Parliament Vanhanen returns to Åland’s comments
Speaker of Parliament Matti Vanhanen (Cen) said on Monday that he has not heard a serious debate about the desire to deploy troops in the autonomous and demilitarized island region of Åland, which is a Swedish-speaking maritime province in Finland. The newspaper Etelä-Suomen Sanomat (ESS) said on Sunday that Vanhanen said he hoped Åland would […]
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 […]
Yle’s poll: Half of Finnish MPs reveal their views on NATO membership
Finnish MPs’ support for Finland’s accession to NATO is growing, and the willingness to express their opinion on the matter is increasing, according to Yle’s recent MP poll. A total of 112 MPs – more than half from the Chamber – responded to Yle’s latest survey on Finland’s potential NATO membership, which showed that legislators […]
Jeppe Kofod reacts to violent images from Bucha: perpetrators must be held accountable
Over the past few days, reports of Russian troops leaving Kiev and its suburbs have brought hope that the conflict in Ukraine is escalating. This was before pictures of Bucha were published for all to see. Among a scene of burnt-out vehicles, civilians lie dead in the streets of the newly conquered suburb. Those who […]
Niinistö: Opinion polls show that people’s support is needed for NATO membership
President Sauli Niinistö believes that recent opinion polls, which consistently show a majority in favor of Finland’s accession to NATO, show the support of the people, which is a precondition for the countries applying for an alliance. "NATO needs to know that there is popular support. I think we already have it," Niinistö said in […]
It happened during the war in Ukraine
There are reports of progress in the talks between Ukraine and Russia. According to Russia’s Deputy Defense Minister, the Russian military presence will be drastically reduced around, among other places, Kyiv. “The ones who are making the most money on a temporary local ceasefire north of Kyiv right now are Russia,” said Ekot’s foreign correspondent. […]
HS: Rehn, Governor of the Bank of Finland, demands a ban on NATO’s energy imports to Russia
The Governor of the Bank of Finland, Olli Rehn, has demanded that Finland join NATO with a similar arrangement as its northern neighbor, Norway. He also said that the European Union should prepare to ban energy imports from Russia, even if it causes problems for Germany and Eastern European countries. Rehn commented on the issue […]
The Russian embassy in Helsinki has received bomb threats
According to Finnish police, the Russian embassy in Finland has received several bomb threats in recent weeks. The threats began immediately after Russia launched an attack on Ukraine. Heikki PorolaThe chief commissioner of the Helsinki Police Department said. Threat messages transmitted through letters and other media have reportedly not led to incidents. "No explosives found," […]
Why Crimean Tatars are afraid when Russia invades Ukraine
Like Vladimir Putin’s strengths wage a brutal war against Ukraine, the Crimean Tatars living in Russian-occupied Crimea and on the Ukrainian mainland feel particularly threatened by the recent invasion of their historical enemy. Some have promised to defend Ukraine, a country many fled to in 2014 after Putin’s forces invaded the Crimean peninsula and began […]
Recent developments in Ukraine: 16 March
For full coverage of the crisis in Ukraine, visit Flash point Ukraine. For the latest developments of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, constantly EST: 01:30: As civilians in Ukraine bear the brunt of Russian artillery attacks, the White House announced that President Joe Biden will travel to Brussels next week to coordinate deterrence and […]
Overviews of potentially Ukraine’s peace deal revealed by Russia
Moscow’s top negotiators say Kyiv has proposed the adoption of a neutral status similar to Austria or Sweden Vladimir Medinsky, Russia’s top negotiator in the peace talks with Ukraine, has said that Kyiv is pushing for a neutral nation. “Ukraine proposes an Austrian or a Swedish model of a neutral demilitarized state, but with its […]
This is how Putin’s war machine has practiced sharply in Syria
In recent years, Russian fighter jets and soldiers have taken part in the war in Syria – and received military training in sharp combat. Russia has repeatedly been accused of bombing civilian targets such as hospitals and schools, something Russia denies despite human rights organizations providing evidence that hospitals were attacked. Today, Russia has an […]
Friday’s newspapers: Putin-Niinistö, war worries, Hanko real estate and Western companies in Russia
In the background of the war in Ukraine, President of Finland Sauli Niinistö and the Prime Minister Sanna Marin (SDP) are dealing diplomatically on two fronts. Niinistö will call the Russian president on Friday Vladimir Putinwhile Marin is in Paris for an “informal” EU Council summit. The director of the Foreign Policy Institute speaks to […]
Sweden’s Prime Minister wants to increase military spending to 2% of GDP
Referring to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Sweden’s Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson said on Thursday that the country’s military spending must be significantly increased and is trying to raise it to 2 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) as soon as possible. In a speech to reporters about the plan in Stockholm, Andersson said […]
Young Finns take part in the battle in Ukraine
Aatu opens his suitcase at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport to reveal a green military backpack, a bulletproof vest, a radio telephone and the hymnbook of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland. The 23-year-old is one of three young men interviewed at Yle Airport. The men said they were traveling to Ukraine as volunteers to join the country’s […]
The Danes will vote in the referendum on 1 June on a ‘historic’ increase in military spending
On 1 June, Danes will be invited to the polls to vote on the abolition of the Danish defense reserve – a referendum that, if approved, will increase Danish military spending and give Denmark the opportunity to join EU-led conflicts. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announced the referendum on Sunday flanked by the party leaders from […]
The Finnish tourism industry feels tangled in Russia’s neighboring country
Finland’s position as Russia’s neighbor affects how attractive the Nordic country is perceived as a travel destination abroad. If the crisis in Ukraine continues, the effects on Finnish tourism could be serious, says Business Finland’s travel marketing department Visit Finland. After two years of understanding Covid-19, Finnish tourism business began to improve after a successful […]
The funds trapped by Finns in Russia are hundreds of millions
Western sanctions against the Russian economic and financial system are essentially wiping out the value of Russian shares. Finnish Russian mutual funds have made losses of around EUR 600 million. Russia has closed the Moscow stock exchange to prevent capital flight. According to Helsingin Sanomat, this means that about 80,000 Finns are trapped in mutual […]
The EU will provide an additional € 1.2 billion to Ukraine
Earlier, the European Union had said it would fund the purchase and supply of arms and equipment to Ukraine and also announced new sanctions against Russia. Ukraine claimed earlier today that it had destroyed a column of Russian troops with heavy artillery, causing serious damage. “The enemy will not go unpunished. Joint artillery artillery men […]
The men in Putin’s inner circle
The radio correspondents change focus for a few weeks and become the Radio Correspondents-Russia. This is the sixth episode. The system behind Putin In Radio Correspondents Russia, we tell about Putin’s closest men: Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, who is behind the annexation of Crimea and the war in eastern Ukraine. Yevgeny Prigozhin, known as “Putin’s […]
Niinistö: The extent of European unity "surprise" Russia
Finnish President Sauli Niinistö told Yle’s A-studio’s current affairs program on Monday night that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has changed Europe. "The European Union is more united than ever," Niinistö said and added that he also believes that the Russian leadership will take into account the extent of European unity. "I’m sure it will surprise […]
Putin could detonate a nuclear weapon off the coast of Denmark as a show of force, warns Moscow analyst
Four years ago this week, Western Europe was hit by the Beast of the East. Today, it is in the firing line for a ‘Blast from the Past’, according to the BBC. In an article published at approx. 3 CET warns the BBC that Russia could potentially detonate a nuclear weapon off the coast of […]
The Finnish reservist group sees the growth of new applications
The Finnish Reserve Association (FRA) has received an exceptional number of new applications in the last two months, the group announced on Monday. During January-February, the number of new applications more than doubled compared to the same period last year. According to the FRA, the growth was affected by the unstable global situation and the […]
Russia’s war redraws the threat against Sweden
What is happening in Ukraine has already redrawn the security policy map in Europe. – What we see now is the worst case scenario that has been speculated in advance, a massive attack from many different directions, says Jacob Westberg, associate professor of war science at the Swedish National Defense College. New location in Europe […]
Halla-aho: Sanctions imposed on Russia "ineffective"
The economic sanctions imposed on Russia by the United States and the EU are not effective, says the chairman of the parliamentary foreign affairs committee. Jussi Halla-aho (Finnish people). Halla-aho told Yle Radio 1 on Wednesday morning that the sanctions will affect the country’s economy and the daily lives of Russian citizens, but will not […]
The Council of Europe urges Russia to withdraw recognition of the two separatist regions of eastern Ukraine
“We call on the Russian Federation to repeal this decision and to refrain from further aggravating the situation. We urge Member States to resolve their differences through dialogue based on respect for the principles enshrined in the Council of Europe and the EU Charter.” Earlier today, the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that […]
Experts: Finland’s nuclear project "directly supports the production of nuclear weapons in Russia"
Two professors told Yle that Fennovoima’s nuclear power project, which is partly owned by Russian companies, involves major risks related to the Russian nuclear industry. The project uses a Russian state-owned Rosatom reactor, which also produces Russian nuclear weapons. "If we invest in Russia’s nuclear power in this current structure of Fennovoima, we will directly […]
Denmark condemns Russia’s recognition of breakaway regions
Crime 2.0? This is what Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod says to TV2 News that Russia’s escalation of the conflict calls for a common response. Together with the USA, Great Britain and the rest of the EU, Denmark is preparing to formulate new sanctions against Vladimir Putin and Russia. “We are coordinating things. Sanctions will be […]
Human rights China won the Winter Olympics. Almost.
ZHANGJIAKOU, China – When triple Olympian Gus Kenworthy made the remarkable, perhaps even brave, decision to speak out against the “atrocities of human rights” while still in China at the Winter Games, the self-proclaimed “loud and disgusting” British skier also proved that other athletes, if they had chosen, might as well have used their Olympic […]
How Crimea became part of Russia and why it was gifted to Ukraine
Jewish enclave, home of a deported nation, a present for the Ukrainians: The difficult history of Russian Crimea In March, it will be eight years since the day Crimea returned to the Russian Federation. This ended its 60-year history as part of Ukraine, which began, not on February 19, 1954, but a little earlier. What […]
How difficult it is for a Dutchman to learn Russian
Arie Helderman is a Dutch guy who learned Russian, because he met a Russian girl when he was studying at university. Here he explains how he learned Russian and what struggles he faced. It was 2016 and I had been learning Russian for a couple of months. Together with my girlfriend we sat in a […]
Putin’s military power is so strong
The radio correspondents change focus for a few weeks and become the Radio Correspondents-Russia. This is the fourth episode. What forces has Russia set up? The war in Ukraine has been going on since 2014, since the annexation of Crimea. What is special eight years later is the extremely large accumulation of forces around Ukraine’s […]
NATO hopes that Russia will choose diplomacy over confrontation
BRUSSELS, Belgium – NATO remains concerned about Russia’s military build-up surrounding Ukraine and the threat of an impending invasion, despite Moscow accusing the West of misinformation and ridiculing talk of an invasion. The spokesman for Russia’s foreign minister mocked Western on Wednesday “disinformation media” and suggested that the stores publish Moscow’s future schedule “invasions”, after […]
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 […]
EXTRA SECTION: Therefore, US spies warn of Russian attack
A Russian attack on Ukraine may begin in mid-February 2022. This information has come from the White House, both from official and unofficial sources. – I have a hard time taking it really seriously, that exact, but on the other hand a window of maybe two, three weeks. I take this very seriously, says Jan […]
The Helsinki Stock Exchange is counting on the fear of an attack on Ukraine
The trading week has started with a significant decline. Share prices on the Helsinki Stock Exchange fell by 3.6 per cent on Monday and recovered slightly in the afternoon. Markets also fell elsewhere in Europe, worried about a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine. According to Nordea Bank’s Chief Investment Officer Antti SaariAs early as Friday, […]
Marin: Finland could provide financial assistance to Ukraine
prime minister Sanna Marin (SDP) said on Sunday that Finland could provide financial assistance to Ukraine if attacked. Speaking at a press conference sent about his official residence via Yle Radio Finland, the Prime Minister said that it was clear that Ukraine’s right to self-determination must be respected. However, he said the situation "is more […]
Kristianstad case and when society fails to prevent deadly violence
On September 17 last year, a property manager receives an SMS early in the morning about a suspected water leak. Once in the apartment building, he quickly discovers where the water comes from. The door is unlocked, he steps in and discovers a dead woman. A man who previously had a relationship with the woman […]
Macron flies to Moscow and claims that his diplomacy will end the Ukraine crisis
French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday downplayed the likelihood of a Russian invasion of Ukraine, saying in a newspaper interview that the gathering of Russian forces at Ukrainian borders is likely part of a broader Kremlin strategy to secure Western concessions rather than a prelude to a full-scale offensive. “The geopolitical goal for Russia today […]
Russia’s idea is now Putin’s
Escalation at Ukraine’s borders raises feelings and many questions about motives. Why is Russia threatening a large-scale war? The most common interpretations we hear refer to domains of power, buffer zones, fears of a democratic neighbor, and ghost pains of superpower. Maybe it might upset some if I ask a question, though: Is it Vladimir […]
Follow Putin in the footsteps of Peter the Great
Three hundred and forty kilometers east of the Ukrainian capital Kiev is the city of Poltava. In its heart is a semicircular square with a cast iron pillar and almost two dozen Swedish 18th century cannons captured at the Battle of Poltava in 1709, a decisive meeting in the Great Northern War, fought between Russia’s […]
