Sweden’s ruling Social Democratic Party declared its support for NATO membership on Sunday, reversing decades of opposition and clearing the way for the country to submit an application. After Russia’s February 24th invasion of Ukraine, Sweden’s political and public support for joining the Western military alliance has skyrocketed. The issue has divided Prime Minister Magdalena … Read more
Turkey has made it transparent that it does not want to impede membership, according to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. He voiced confidence in NATO’s ability to handle Turkey’s concerns at a video news conference, saying the ascension process for Sweden and Finland into NATO is “faster than we have seen before.” Turkish President Recep … Read more
After decades of military non-alignment, Finland approved its quest for NATO membership as a bulwark against Russia on Sunday, redrawing the balance of power in Europe. In Helsinki, President Sauli Niinisto called the move “historic”. “A new era is opening,” he said, before the decision is put before parliament for approval. Finland’s move, expected to … Read more
Swedish membership in NATO would have a stabilizing effect and would benefit countries around the Baltic Sea, Foreign Minister Ann Linde said on Friday, the day after neighbor Finland committed to applying to join the 30-nation alliance. “Swedish NATO membership would raise the threshold for military conflicts and thus have a conflict-preventing effect in northern … Read more
Sweden moved closer to abandoning its decades-long policy of military non-alignment on Friday, with a security policy assessment concluding that joining NATO would lessen the chance of violence in northern Europe. The report, written by parliament’s parties, clears the way for Sweden to announce a NATO membership candidacy alongside Finland in the coming days. Public … Read more
Fifteen European countries urged Israel on Friday to abandon plans for tens of thousands more settlement houses in the West Bank, warning that they would “obstruct” long-term peace between Israelis and Palestinians. “The new housing units would constitute an additional obstacle to the two-state solution,” said the countries in a statement issued by their foreign … Read more
During a mission to Tehran to help revive Iran’s 2015 nuclear accord, EU ambassador Enrique Mora appealed for the release of an Iranian-Swedish academic on death sentence on “humanitarian grounds.” On Wednesday and Thursday, Mora, the European Union’s coordinator for talks between Iran and key world powers to repair the deal, met with Ali Bagheri, … Read more
As the crisis in Ukraine entered its 12th week, Europe offered another half billion dollars in military aid to Kyiv, and Sweden moved closer to joining NATO. At a meeting of the world’s most powerful democracies, European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell promised Ukraine an extra 500 million euros ($520 million), bringing the bloc’s … Read more
UK and US take part in NATO-war games in North Macedonia as solidarity front against Putin NATO has placed a demonstration of solidarity in Europe in a message to Vladimir Putin as a huge number of troopers from 19 countries participate in war games across the mainland. The Swift Response 22 practices in North Macedonia … Read more
Finland’s president and the top minister said Thursday they are in favor of applying for NATO membership, paving the manner for the alliance to enlarge amid Russia’s battle in Ukraine. The dramatic pass by means of Finland was announced by using President Sauli Niinisto and Prime Minister Sanna Marin in a joint statement. It way … Read more
STOCKHOLM: Inflation in Sweden continued to grow in April after reaching a 30-year high a month ago, according to Statistics Sweden. In April, the number increased to 6.4 percent, up from 6.1 percent in March, when it topped the previous high of December 1991. “(There have been) continued widespread price increases in April, including (for) … Read more
French authorities have opened a case against Interpol President Ahmed Nasser al-Raisi of the United Arab Emirates over allegations of torture and arbitrary detention by two Britons detained in the country, according to a source close to the investigation. The case against the top UAE official has been confirmed by France’s anti-terror prosecutors office (PNAT), … Read more
Boris Johnson will visit Sweden and Finland to address the Ukraine conflict, as both countries decide whether to join the NATO alliance. On Wednesday, the prime minister is set to meet with leaders from both nations during a 24-hour trip. Mr. Johnson is likely to speak about Europe’s response to Russia’s military assault on Ukraine. … Read more
Finland and Sweden are expected to announce this week whether they will apply to join NATO in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, in a stunning reversal of decades-long non-alignment policies. The Nordic countries have been shaken by Moscow’s war on its pro-Western neighbour, which has increased domestic support for joining the military alliance – … Read more
Nearly half of the European Union’s member countries revolted against a push to overhaul the bloc’s decision-making process, on Monday. Under France’s current six-month presidency of the EU, French President Emmanuel Macron’s long-standing call for a more reactive EU capable of taking swift action when needed, similar to its Chinese and US rivals, has crystallised. … Read more
Stockholm reported Friday that Iranian officials had detained a Swedish man, potentially straining already strained ties between the two countries. A Swedish man in his 30s “has lately been imprisoned,” according to Sweden’s foreign ministry. “The embassy in Tehran is seeking further information in the matter and is in contact with local authorities,” it said … Read more
A Russian military helicopter breached the airspace of Finland, ostensibly to intimidate the country as it prepares to join NATO. According to the country’s Ministry of Defence, the military Mi-17 cargo helicopter flew 2-3 kilometres inside the Finnish border after 10.30 a.m. (7.30 a.m. GMT). ‘The aircraft is a Mi-17 helicopter, and the suspected breach … Read more
Iran plans to execute Ahmadreza Djalali accused of spying for Israel; Sweden concerned Sweden’s Foreign Minister says a report that Iran intends to execute a Swedish-Iranian medical practitioner sentenced for secret activities this month is “very stressing”. Sources told Iran’s semi-official Isna news organization that Ahmadreza Djalali, 50, would be killed by 21 May. Unfamiliar … Read more
According to reports, a Swedish-Iranian person sentenced to death in Iran on allegations of espionage for Israeli intelligence will be executed this month, according to Iran’s semi-official ISNA news agency. Ahmadreza Djalali, a disaster medicine doctor and researcher, was detained in 2016 during an academic visit to Iran and is scheduled to be killed on … Read more
On Wednesday, a landmark trial in Sweden against a former Iranian prison administrator accused of war crimes during a 1988 purge of dissidents concluded, with a verdict expected in July. The proceedings marked the first time an Iranian official has gone on trial for the purge. Hamid Noury, 61, faces charges including crimes against humanity … Read more
TEHRAN: Iran says it summoned Sweden’s ambassador in response to a request from Swedish prosecutors for the life imprisonment of a former Iranian official. The arrest and prosecution of Hamid Noury, 61, in Tehran late Sunday were “strongly condemned” by the foreign ministry, which demanded for the procedures to be halted and his release. Noury, … Read more
Denmark and Sweden have both claimed that a Russian spy plane breached their airspace. Both have summoned Russian ambassadors in response to the incident. According to the Danish Defence Command, the aircraft was a reconnaissance plane that was in Danish airspace for “a very little moment” before being intercepted by Danish F-16 fighter jets. It … Read more
Stock markets powered higher Thursday, extending healing on bargains looking after sharp losses at the beginning of the week. In foreign exchange, the dollar traded around 20years peaks as opposed to the yen and at the very best stage in greater than 5 years towards the euro as the Federal Reserve aggressively hikes US hobby … Read more
A Rwandan genocide suspect who has been dwelling in Sweden for greater than a decade became extradited Wednesday to his home country where he is predicted to stand trial over his alleged position in the 1994 massacres. Jean-Paul Micomyiza, who misplaced his combat towards extradition in December, changed into handcuffs as he disembarked from a … Read more
Moscow removed three Swedish diplomats on Tuesday after Stockholm ousted three Russian diplomats for the Ukraine war, contradicting Sweden’s claim that four were sacked. Russia’s foreign ministry said it summoned Sweden’s ambassador and “strongly protested” the expulsion of Russian diplomats as well as Sweden’s “military backing for the Kyiv government.” It also accused Sweden of … Read more
According to Nordic media, Sweden and Finland have agreed to submit simultaneous membership applications to the US-led Nato alliance as early as the middle of next month. According to the Finnish daily Iltalehti, Stockholm “recommended the two nations announce their readiness to join” on the same day, and Helsinki agreed “as long as the Swedish … Read more
According to Finnish and Swedish newspapers, Finland and Sweden are planning to announce their intentions to join NATO at the same time in May. Both countries are non-aligned militarily, but Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has increased public enthusiasm for joining the Western defensive alliance. According to the Finnish tabloid Iltalehti, the leaders of Finland and … Read more
This week, a pro-NATO delegation of opposition leaders from Finland and Sweden visited Washington, DC, for meetings with the Biden administration and members of Congress. The small delegation led by Petteri Orpo of Finland and Ulf Kristersson of Sweden met with Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs Karen Donfried, Amanda Sloat of the National … Read more
