Russian jets violate Finnish airspace, defense ministry says
Two Russian military aircraft are suspected of violating Finland's airspace, the country's defense ministry reported on May 23.
NATO
Finland ‘closely monitoring’ borders amid reports of Russian military preparations
The comments come after reports that Finland expects a Russian military build-up on its borders after the war in Ukraine ends.
Finland expecting further Russian military build-up at border after Ukraine war ends
Finland shares a 1,300-kilometer (800-mile) border with Russia and joined NATO in 2023.
Ukraine war latest: Russian semiconductor plant making missile, jet parts hit in Ukrainian attack, military says
* Russian semiconductor plant making missile, jet parts hit in Ukrainian attack, military says * Putin visits Kursk Oblast for first time since Moscow claimed its recapture * Ukraine dismisses Russian claims of full control over Kursk Oblast, says fighting ongoing * Russia massing troops near Kharkiv Oblast ahead of possible attack, military warns
NATO summit in The Hague to focus on long-term support, lasting peace for Ukraine, Rutte says
"We must ensure that Ukraine, while the fight continues, receives all possible collective support to be in the best possible position to continue," NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said.
Russia releases Green Admire tanker seized after leaving Estonian port
The detention followed recent moves by Estonia and its neighbors to clamp down on Russia's so-called "shadow fleet," which is used to bypass Western oil sanctions.
US to begin talks on troop reductions in Europe later this year, America’s NATO envoy says
"It’s more than 30 years of U.S. desire (to reduce troops in Europe), President Trump just said, enough, this is going to happen and it’s going to happen now," U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker said.
NATO set to agree on 5% GDP defense spending, Rubio says
"We are headed for a summit in six weeks in which virtually every member of NATO will be at or above 2%, but more importantly, many of them will be over 4% and all will have agreed on a goal of reaching 5% over the next decade," U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said.
Ukraine war latest: Zelensky sends delegation to Turkey, as peace talks with Russia are expected on May 16
Key developments on May 15: * Zelensky sends Ukrainian delegation to Istanbul, as peace talks with Russia are expected on May 16 * Trump expects no progress in Russia-Ukraine peace talks until he meets Putin * Pro-Ukraine partisans sabotage railway track near Russia's Smolensk * Ukraine shows its latest 'ship-killer' Magura drone series to
US proposes reviving NATO-Russia Council, Bloomberg reports
The United States is proposing to revive the NATO-Russia Council as part of a broader American plan to end the war in Ukraine, Bloomberg reported on May 15, citing unnamed sources.
Russian fighter jet 'violated NATO territory' after Estonia tried to detain 'shadow fleet' tanker
"The Russian Federation is ready to protect the 'shadow fleet'... the situation is really serious," Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said on May 15.
Updated: NATO reportedly not inviting Zelensky to The Hague summit to appease Trump, Rubio denies reports
Later in the day on May 15, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio denied reports that the United States opposes Zelensky's participation at the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague.
NATO starts work on plan to increase defense spending after Trump criticism
Trump has long demanded that NATO allies increase their military spending, previously calling for the alliance to raise its benchmark from 2% to 5% of GDP.
Russia threatens to 'neutralize' all NATO efforts against Moscow amid alliance drills in Lithuania
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko's statement came as Strong Shield 5 exercises involving military personnel from other NATO countries began in Lithuania.
Russia rejects European peacekeepers, NATO infrastructure in Ukraine amid potential peace talks, Peskov says
"We cannot allow NATO's military infrastructure to get that close to our borders," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.
Rubio to visit Turkey amid renewed push for Russia-Ukraine peace talks in Istanbul
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to to Antalya, Turkey, for a NATO foreign ministers’ meeting from May 14–16, where he is expected to address the war in Ukraine and push for stronger Allied defense commitments.
Majority of Ukrainians unwilling to trade territory or Western path for peace, poll shows
The survey, conducted between April 24 and May 4, shows that 56.9% of respondents would not be willing to compromise on either territorial integrity or Ukraine’s pro-Western direction in any potential talks with Moscow.
Lithuanian parliament backs denunciation of anti-personnel mine ban convention
The denunciation of the convention will take effect six months after the decision is made.
UK reportedly updates war alert plans amid Russian threats
The classified "homeland defense plan" outlines how the government would respond in the immediate aftermath of a strike on British territory by a hostile foreign nation.
Russia demands recognition of Crimea, other Ukrainian regions' annexation in any peace talks
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov Lavrov listed other conditions for Russia to enter into peace talks, namely a ban on Ukraine's entry into NATO, the country's demilitarization, and changes to Ukraine's legislation that would restore the position of the Russian language, culture, and religious organization.
Russia's military building up at Finland's border over potential NATO clash, WSJ reports
These efforts include expanding military bases near the Russian city of Petrozavodsk, around 160 kilometers (100 miles) east of Finland, the planned site for a new headquarters that could potentially command tens of thousands of troops, the Wall Street Journal wrote.
Ukraine recorded the world's highest military burden in 2024, think tank reports
Ukraine’s military spending grew by 2.9% in 2024 to reach $64.7 billion, roughly 43% of Russia’s total expenditure, according to a report released on April 28 by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
Ukraine, allies working on security guarantees potentially similar to NATO Article 5, Zelensky says
Security guarantees could include not "Article 5 itself, but specifically those forces and the protection that Article 5 provides to NATO countries," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
NATO views Russia as a 'long-term threat,' Rutte says
"We all agree, in NATO, that Russia is the long-term threat to NATO territory, to the whole of the Euro-Atlantic territory," NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said.
NATO chief to urge US not to force Russia-friendly deal on Ukraine, FT reports
According to the publication, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is scheduled to meet with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz.
Kremlin 'satisfied' with US opposition to Ukraine's NATO membership
"We have heard from Washington at various levels that Ukraine's membership in NATO is out of the question," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said. "Of course, this is something that satisfies us and aligns with our position that Ukraine should not be a NATO member..."
'No NATO, US recognizing annexation of Crimea' — Washington awaits Kyiv's response to ceasefire pitch, WSJ reports
Among the most controversial elements is the suggestion that the U.S. could formally recognize Russia’s claim over Crimea. Additionally, Ukrainian accession to NATO would be ruled out under the current proposal.
Poland-Belarus border crossings to remain closed, Polish official says
"As long as Belarus behaves this way towards (Poland), I do not see any possibility that anything will change in this area," Polish Interior Minister Tomasz Semoniak said.
Lithuania to strengthen border infrastructure amid security concerns, Politico reports
Lithuania will upgrade and fortify a second route through the Suwałki Gap, a strategically critical stretch of land along the Polish border viewed as one of the most likely targets for a future Russian attack on NATO.
As Trump mulls cuts, NATO's integrity is on the line
With the start of Donald Trump's second term in office, NATO finds itself on shaky ground — reports that the U.S. president might cut the alliance's funding do little to ease fears. A leaked White House memo revealed plans to slash the U.S. State Department funding for the next
Belarus Weekly: Poland reports attacks on border guards, one allegedly involving a Belarusian serviceman
Poland reports two attacks on border guards, one allegedly involving a Belarusian serviceman. Belarus dictator Alexander Lukashenko invites up to 150,000 workers from Pakistan to Belarus amid deepening labor shortage. Director of Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service Sergey Naryshkin threatens Poland, Baltic states during a visit to Belarus. Meanwhile,
Duda dismisses threats against Poland, Baltics as Russian disinformation
"Russia, which is behaving aggressively towards NATO and implementing its brutal and bloodthirsty imperialism, has been attacking Ukraine for three years," Polish President Andrzej Duda said.
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