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Sweden expresses willingness to lead NATO forces in Finland

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Sweden expresses willingness to lead NATO forces in Finland

Finland has requested Sweden to manage the force. The process is still in an “early stage” and details will be worked out within NATO. NATO currently has eight forward presences in Eastern Europe. On Monday, Sweden announced its readiness to manage a future NATO land force in neighboring Finland, which shares a border with Russia. … Read more

PM lauds Finland’s support for UNSC non-permanent membership

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PM

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif lauded Finland’s support to Pakistan in winning a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for 2025-26.

In response to Finnish President Alexander Stubb’s remarks on X, the prime minister appreciated their support to Pakistan and reiterated his country’s resolve to work for upholding international law and the UN Charter.

Earlier, President Stubb had congratulated Pakistan, Denmark, Greece, Panama, and Somalia on winning the UN Security Council’s non-permanent membership.

The Finnish president also extended best wishes to Pakistan, besides assuring collaboration in strengthening the UN and the international system.

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Finland’s Border Decision Sparks Russian Retaliation Alert

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Finland's Border Decision Sparks Russian Retaliation Alert

Russia warns of response if Finland closes remaining border posts. Zakharova doesn’t specify Moscow’s reaction. Finland closes four border stations due to asylum seeker surge. In a press briefing on Wednesday, Maria Zakharova, the spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, asserted that Russia would, “of course,” issue a response should Finland proceed with the closure … Read more

Turkey will begin ratifying Finland’s NATO membership, after months of opposition

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Turkey
  • Recep Tayyip Erdogan made the statement alongside Finnish President Sauli Niinistö.
  • Finland has taken “real actions” to address Turkey’s worries about terrorist organizations, says Sauli Niinistö.
  • Finland and Sweden announced their intention to join NATO in May 2022.

Turkey‘s president has announced that his government will begin ratifying Finland’s NATO membership application, clearing the path for the country to join the security alliance after months of delay.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan made the statement alongside Finnish President Sauli Niinistö, who said Finland has taken “real actions” to address Turkey’s worries about terrorist organizations.

Finland and Sweden announced their intention to join NATO in May 2022, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which forced the two countries to surrender their long-held non-aligned status.

The move was a loss for Moscow, as the Ukrainian war triggered the type of NATO enlargement that Russia invaded Ukraine to prevent.

Almost all NATO leaders supported Finland and Sweden’s bids, but under NATO regulations, only one member state can block a new applicant’s admission.

‘Positively’

Erdogan of Turkey threw a spoke in the wheel when he declared he could not see both nations joining NATO “positively,” accusing them of harboring Kurdish “terrorist organizations.”

“We have decided to start the parliamentary ratification process of Finland’s NATO Accession Protocol,” Erdogan said at the news conference in Ankara.

Erdogan said he believes NATO “will become even stronger through Finland’s membership.”

“It is very good to hear this news,” Niinistö added.

Erdogan’s approval eliminates a key impediment to Finland’s Nato membership.

Separately, Hungary’s ruling party announced that it would support Finland’s entry. A parliamentary vote had been postponed after Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban accused Finland and Sweden of disseminating “outright lies” about his country’s performance on rule of law.

In late February, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated that while Turkey had raised some reservations about both Sweden’s and Finland’s applications, it was primarily concerned about Sweden’s.

On Friday, Niinistö urged Turkey to reconsider Sweden’s offer.

“I have a feeling that Finnish NATO membership is not complete without Sweden,” he said.

Yet Erdogan said Turkey would not modify its position to Sweden’s NATO candidature unless “positive steps” were done.

Turkey accuses Sweden of harboring members of terrorist organizations, which Sweden rejects.

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Finnish parliament approves bid to join NATO

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Finnish parliament

Finland and Sweden’s applications to join NATO have been approved by 28 of 30 countries. While Turkey and Hungary have not yet done so. Only Turkey and Hungary have not yet completed this. In a parliamentary vote on Wednesday, the majority of Finnish legislators voted in favor of the nation’s application to join NATO. “On … Read more

Blinken urges Nordic nations to join NATO in Turkey visit

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Blinken

Antony Blinken expressed support for Sweden and Finland’s quick NATO membership. And promised $100 million in funding to assist impacted populations. According to Blinken, there is no “formal schedule” for approval and delivery. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized Washington’s strong support for Sweden and Finland’s quick NATO membership. As his Turkish colleague emphasized … Read more

US maintains its support for Finland, Sweden by joining NATO

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US NATO

The US has maintained its support for Finland and Sweden. A pause in trilateral negotiations with Turkey was cited as a reason for the need for the talks to be halted. Washington would not say if it would support Finland’s potential membership without Sweden. After Helsinki declared that a pause was necessary for trilateral negotiations … Read more

Finland requests a “time-out” in contentious NATO negotiations with Turkey

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Finland

Finland’s and Sweden’s discussions with Turkey on joining NATO. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the president of Turkey, has become enraged in recent days. Although both have promised to join at the same time, protests in Sweden are impeding proceedings. Finland’s and Sweden’s discussions with Turkey on joining NATO require a “time-out,” according to Helsinki’s Foreign Minister … Read more

Turkey condemned burning of Quran during protest in Sweden

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Turkey

Turkey has stalled Sweden and Finland’s NATO applications. Sweden and Finland applied to NATO after Russia invaded Ukraine. “Our relations with Turkey are very essential to Sweden,” Mr. Jonson tweeted Turkey called the Swedish protest’s Quran burning a “vile act”. It called the Swedish government’s demonstration permit “absolutely inappropriate”. It follows rising diplomatic tension between … Read more

Finland donates Ukraine more than 400 million euros

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Finland

Finland declares donation of defense equipment worth more than 400m euros. This excludes Leopard 2 tanks, which nation claims it could deliver if allies approved. Defense Ministry says payment would more than triple Finland’s defense assistance. Finland has declared that they will provide Ukraine a new donation of defense equipment worth more than 400 million … Read more

Erdogan: Sweden and Finland must hand over 130 “terrorists” to Türkiye

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Sweden
  • Erdogan said to hand over more than 100, around 130 of these terrorists to us.
  • Erdogan’s demand was an angry reaction to an incident last week in Stockholm.
  •  Türkiye canceled the Swedish speaker of parliament’s visit.

Sweden and Finland must deport or extradite up to 130 “terrorists” to Türkiye before the Turkish parliament will approve their bids to join NATO, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said.

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the two Nordic countries asked to join NATO last year, but their bids must be accepted by all 30 NATO member states. The applications have yet to be approved by Türkiye and Hungary.

Türkiye has stated that Sweden, in particular, must first take a firmer position against what it considers terrorists, primarily Kurdish militants, whom it holds responsible for a 2016 coup attempt.

“We said, look, if you don’t hand over your terrorists to us, we can’t push it (NATO application approval) through the parliament anyway,” Erdogan stated late Sunday, alluding to a joint press conference he held with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson last November.

“For this to pass the parliament, first of all, you have to hand more than 100, around 130 of these terrorists to us,” Erdogan said.

“This must have been a reaction, I believe, to the events of the past days,” Finland’s foreign minister Pekka Haavisto told public broadcasters.

In response to the incident in Stockholm, Türkiye canceled the Swedish speaker of parliament, Andreas Norlen’s, planned visit to Ankara, instead sending him to Helsinki on Monday.

“We stress that in Finland and in Sweden we have freedom of expression. We cannot control it,” the speaker of the Finnish parliament, Matti Vanhanen, told reporters at a joint news conference with Norlen.

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UK PM says unilateral call for ceasefire by Russia would be meaningless

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UK PM says unilateral

Any unilateral ceasefire call from Russia would be “absolutely useless. Sunak spoke at the summit of the leaders of the Joint Expeditionary Force. Denmark, Estonia, Finland and other countries in JEC. British Prime Minister on Monday, Rishi Sunak, any demand for a ceasefire that is issued by Russia in a manner that is unilateral would … Read more

New Zealand, Finland leaders answers sexist question

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New Zealand

Jacinda Ardern and Sanna Marin are two of the youngest heads of government in the world. They have been subjected to questions regarding their ages and gender. A journalist asked whether they met because they were of similar age. As two of the youngest heads of government and among a small number of female international … Read more

Finland’s PM believes Europe is too tech-dependent on China

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Finland's PM

Sanna Marin said Europe is currently dependent on China for technologies to an excessive degree. Marin urged Europe to increase its investment in its own research and development of emerging areas of technology. “I fear we are making the same mistakes with technology and digital solutions,” Marin said. Sanna Marin, the Prime Minister of Finland, … Read more

Finland shuts its border to Russian Visitors

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Finland shuts border to Russian

Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto said mobilisation order had a “significant effect” on country’s decision. Finland is closing its border to Russian tourists starting Friday – the latest of four EU neighbours to do so. Russians will still be able to visit relatives or for business and education in Finland. Finland is closing its border … Read more

Brad Pitt displays his first artwork at Finland’s Gallery

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Brad Pitt

Brad Pitt made his artistic debut at an exhibition in Finland. His first sculptures were on display at the Sara Hilden Art Museum. Artist Thomas Houseago and musician Nick Cave also contributed pieces to the exhibition. Brad Pitt made his artistic debut in front of the public, with his first sculptures on display at the … Read more

Hillary Clinton posts an old dance picture to defend Finland’s prime minister: “Keep dancing”

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Hillary Clinton

The partying habits of Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin have garnered international attention. The prime minister’s critics argued it displayed unfit behaviour. Several female politicians from other countries have made statements in support of Marin. WASHINGTON: Former US presidential contender Hillary Clinton tweeted Sunday, “Keep dancing,” in support of Finland’s Prime Minister Sanna Marin, whose … Read more

Finnish PM Sanna Marin condemns publicizing her party video

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Sanna Marin

Sanna Marin said that she partied “in a boisterous way” following the publication of private tapes. But she claimed that she is upset that the video was leaked to the media. The 36-year-old leader has refuted claims that the recordings’ disclosure was an attempt at extortion. Sanna Marin, the prime minister of Finland, said that … Read more

Two-thirds majority of U.S. Senate backs Finland and Sweden’s joining NATO

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NATO
  • More than two-thirds of the U.S. Senate approves Finland and Sweden’s accession to NATO.
  • It is the most significant expansion of the 30-member alliance since the 1990s.
  • The move comes as NATO faces the fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The U.S. Senate gave its approval to Finland and Sweden’s membership in NATO on Wednesday, making it the 30 member alliance’s largest expansion since the 1990s as it deals with the consequences of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The final vote count was 74 to 1, easily surpassing the 67 vote threshold needed for confirmation of the two countries’ accession articles.

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The Senate to decide to ratify Finland and Sweden Joining NATO

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NATO

The Senate is expected to vote on ratification of Finland and Sweden’s membership in NATO. The Western military alliance seeks to strengthen its resolve against Russia. Finnish and Swedish membership would end their longstanding military neutrality. The Western military alliance is seeking to bolster its resolve against the threat presented by Russia; and the Senate … Read more

Turkey presses Nato aspirants Sweden and Finland on extradition of Kurdish militants

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NATO deal
  • Turkey has accused Sweden and Finland of harbouring Kurdish militants.
  • Turkey has agreed to drop its veto of the countries’ Nato applications in exchange for extradition of militants.
  • Officials from Turkey, Finland, and Sweden will meet in August to assess progress in meeting Ankara’s demands.

According to Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, Sweden and Finland have yet to extradite suspected Kurdish militants to Turkey as part of a deal that would grant the Nordic countries Nato membership.

Turkey has accused Sweden and Finland of harbouring Kurdish militants, but it has agreed to drop its veto of the countries’ Nato applications in exchange for the militants’ extradition on terrorism-related charges.

While Turkey has not set a firm deadline, it has stated that it expects the extradition of 73 people to occur as soon as possible and that it is closely monitoring the situation.

Turkey has stated that if the pledges are not kept, it will block the Scandinavian countries’ Nato membership bids.

“Sweden maintains an ongoing dialogue with Turkey and Finland on the trilateral agreement, which Sweden is following and will fully implement in accordance with Swedish and international law,” a foreign ministry spokesman said.

According to diplomatic sources, Turkey’s foreign ministry summoned the Swedish embassy’s chargé d’affaires in Ankara to express its “strong reaction” to what it called “terrorist propaganda” displayed during a Kurdish group’s protest in Stockholm.

In August, officials from Turkey, Finland, and Sweden will meet to assess progress in meeting Ankara’s demands.

While Turkey delays ratifying the two countries’ membership applications, 18 of Nato’s 30 members have already approved Sweden’s application to join the alliance.

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Sweden and Finland made bids to join NATO.

Late on June 28, Turkey dropped its veto on Finland and Sweden joining the alliance, putting them on a fast track to membership.

Its main concern had been Finland and Sweden’s tolerance of the PKK, a Kurdish nationalist organisation widely considered a terrorist organisation.

Finland’s 1,300-kilometer border with Russia means that Moscow will have a border with Nato, extending from the Arctic to the Mediterranean Sea.

Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated that the two countries’ admission would lay the groundwork for the alliance “in a more dangerous and unpredictable world,” alter regional security, and strengthen the alliance’s presence in Europe.

Both countries bring formidable military power, with the Finnish military capable of quickly mobilising up to 240,000 soldiers.

It is also strengthening its navy in the Baltic Sea with new frigates, and it has agreed to purchase 64 F-35 stealth fighter jets from the United States.

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Spain dig out from behind to beat Finland 4-1 in Women’s Euros

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Spain

Top choices Spain made a triumphant beginning. Women’s European Championship crusade. After they dug out from a deficit to beat Finland in Milton Keynes. Spain, playing without the harmed Jennifer Hermoso and Alexia Putellas, soon defeated the early nerves and tracked down the balancer. [embedpost slug=”norrie-wimbledon-semis-run-leaves-britains-longing-for-more/”] Linda Sallstrom gave Finland an unexpected lead in the … Read more

Spain rallies from a deficit to defeat Finland 4-1 in the women’s competition

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Spain

Spain came from behind to beat Finland 4-1 in Milton Keynes. Mariona Caldentey converted a stoppage-time penalty to round off the scoring. Spain made a triumphant beginning to their Women’s European Championship crusade after they dug out from a deficit to beat Finland 4-1 in Milton Keynes on Friday. Linda Sallstrom gave Finland an unexpected … Read more

From tomato tossing to playing piggy: Europe’s weirder summer festivals

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summer

The “Tomatina” festival in Spain is billed as “the world’s biggest food fight”. World air guitar championships will see hopefuls strut the stage in fancy dress strumming furiously on imaginary guitars. 150 of the world’s top bogsnorkellers will swim two lengths of a murky peat bog in Wales. Summer is here, which means the silly … Read more

First-ever Sand Battery Developed by Finnish Engineers

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Sand Battery

Finnish engineers have developed the world’s first completely functional “sand battery”. The battery has the ability to store green power for several months. It is heated up using low-grade sand by utilizing inexpensive electricity generated by solar or wind power. Climate change, which has the potential to impact practically every living creature on the earth; is … Read more

Finland No covert Nato agreements with Turkey’s

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Turkey's
  • Finland’s foreign minister says there are “no hidden agreements” regarding accession to Nato.
  • Turkey’s president claimed Sweden had agreed to extradite 73 individuals to Turkey as part of the agreement.
  •  Sweden’s FM Ann Linde stated that there have been no official extradition requests from Turkey.

There are “no hidden agreements” between Sweden, Finland, and Turkey regarding the Nordic countries’ accession to Nato, Finland’s foreign minister has said after Turkey’s leader claimed he had received additional promises to support their membership.

On the eve of the Madrid conference last week, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan lifted his veto against the two countries joining Nato after the three countries agreed to a pact on matters including combating terrorism.

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