Oil tanker crew planned more cable sabotage before capture, Finland says
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the Baltic Sea region has faced numerous disruptions to power cables, telecom links, and gas pipelines.
Finland
NATO membership is Ukraine’s best security guarantee, Finland's FM tells Reuters
"We are supporting Ukraine's NATO membership further down the line and hopefully not in (the) too-distant future," Finland's Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said on Jan. 8.
Zelensky addresses Trump’s comments on NATO, stresses security guarantees
The Ukrainian president argued that the absence of NATO membership and concrete security guarantees contributed to Russia’s decision to launch the full-scale invasion.
Finland to host NATO Baltic summit, address Russia’s 'shadow fleet' sabotage threats
The meeting, co-organized by Finland and Estonia, will focus on enhancing NATO's presence in the Baltic Sea and responding to risks posed by Russia’s so-called shadow fleet, a group of tankers allegedly used for sanction evasion and espionage.
NATO reportedly sending ships to guard cables under Baltic Sea
A fleet of up to 10 NATO vessels will guard the infrastructure under the Baltic Sea until April, the Finnish broadcaster YLE reported on Jan. 7 after several cables were cut in suspected sabotage.
Finnish court upholds seizure of Russian tanker suspected of cable sabotage
The Helsinki District Court has ruled to keep the oil tanker — suspected of belonging to Russia's "shadow fleet" — under seizure, despite an appeal from the ship's owner.
Finland's Fingrid requests seizure of Russian 'shadow fleet' tanker over suspected cable sabotage
The damaged cable is one of several recent incidents in the Baltic Sea under investigation as possible acts of sabotage.
NATO to 'enhance military presence' in Baltic Sea following damage to undersea power cable, Rutte says
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Dec. 27 that "NATO will enhance its military presence in the Baltic Sea" following the recent damage to the Estlink 2 power cable in the Gulf of Finland likely caused by Russia.
Russian shadow fleet tanker likely caused damage to undersea power cable, Finland says
The Estlink 2, an undersea power cable linking Finland and Estonia, was seriously damaged on Christmas Day. Authorities are investigating the incident as a possible act of sabotage.
EU to allocate 170 million euros to six countries bordering Russia and Belarus
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced 170 million euros ($178 million) in financial support for six European countries bordering Russia and Belarus to bolster their border protection efforts.
Trial begins in Finland for Russian neo-Nazi fighter accused of committing war crimes in Ukraine
A Finnish court began trial on Dec. 5 for Yan Petrovsky, a Russian neo-Nazi mercenary, for war crimes he allegedly committed while leading a Russian neo-Nazi unit in eastern Ukraine between 2014 and 2015.
Severed internet cables raise suspicion of sabotage in Baltic Sea
Telecom cables linking two Nordic countries with Germany and Lithuania were cut on the bottom of the Baltic Sea, raising suspicion of sabotage, various media outlets reported on Nov. 18.
Nordic countries equipping citizens with pamphlets offering advice in case of war
The governments of Norway, Sweden, and Finland have begun the distribution of informative pamphlets to citizens, providing them with advice in case of the outbreak of war or other emergency situations, BBC reported on Nov. 17.
Finnish foreign minister urges Western leaders to refrain from calling Putin, calls for coordinated communication with Kremlin
Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen urged Western leaders to refrain from making additional phone calls to Russian President Vladimir Putin following German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's recent call, Valtonen said on German TV on Nov. 17.
Finland closes world's last Lenin museum outside Russia
A new political museum at the same site will open on Feb. 15, 2025, Finnish authorities announced. The museum will reportedly focus on Finnish-Russian relations, including developments in the 21st century.
Finnish court orders seizing Russian assets at request of Ukraine's Naftogaz company
According to a ruling in 2023 by the Permanent Arbitration Court based in The Hague, Russia is obliged to pay $5 billion to Naftogaz Group as compensation for assets illegally seized during the Russian occupation of Crimea in 2014.
Finnish FM warns about growing Ukraine fatigue among Western allies
The Western countries are growing tired of their support of Ukraine, Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen warned, calling for stronger resolve in backing Kyiv, the Financial Times (FT) reported on Oct. 15.
NATO entering ‘3.0’ version, Finland’s president says
Finland joined NATO early 2023 after ditching its longstanding neutral stance following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Norway considering building fence along Russian border to curb migrant crossings
Norway is considering building fencing along the country's border with Russia amid ongoing concerns over migrant crossings, Norway's Justice Minister Emily Anger Mel said in an interview with Norway's NRK media outlet.
Finnish president wants Russia excluded from UN Security Council
According to Finnish President Alexander Stubb, any council member engaged in an illegal war "such as Russia is in right now in Ukraine" should be suspended.
Ukraine war latest: 49 Ukrainians released from Russian captivity; Finland announces new aid package for Ukraine
Key developments on Sept. 13: * 49 Ukrainians released from Russian captivity * Finland announces $130 million aid package for Ukraine * Russia's 'rapid' offensive in Kursk Oblast hasn't yet achieved 'serious' success, Zelensky says * Russia buys Western aircraft parts via intermediaries despite sanctions * ATACMS 'pointless' without ability to strike inside Russia, Zelensky
Sweden, Finland will not prohibit Ukraine from striking Russia with its weapons amid Putin's threats to NATO
The day before, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Ukraine's use of Western long-range weapons against Russia would mean that NATO countries were directly involved in the war.
Finland announces $130 million aid package for Ukraine
The total amount of military aid Finland has provided Kyiv now stands at 2.3 billion euros ($2.5 billion), the Finnish Defense Ministry said.
Finland proposes banning most Russian citizens from buying real estate
The Finnish government has proposed banning most Russian citizens from buying real estate in the country to ensure national security, Reuters reported Sept. 2, citing Finnish Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen.
Finnish ex-politician killed fighting as volunteer in Ukraine
Ville Mykkanen is the fifth known Finnish volunteer fighter to have been killed fighting for Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale war.
Finnish President voices support for Ukraine's right to self-defense
Finnish President Alexander Stubb expressed strong support for Ukraine’s right to defend itself against Russian aggression, including strikes and advances on Russian territory.
Finnish volunteer fighter killed in Ukraine
A Finnish volunteer fighter was killed in Donetsk Oblast in mid-July, marking the fourth Finnish national killed fighting for Ukraine since the start of the full-scale invasion, the Association of Finnish War Veterans confirmed on July 30.
Finland passes law to prevent migrants from crossing border from Russia
Finland's parliament passed a law on July 12 granting border guards the authority to block asylum seekers crossing from Russia. Helsinki believes Moscow is promoting the crossings in retaliation for Finland joining NATO.
GPS jamming in Finland likely part of Russian hybrid campaign, ISW says
"Russia's apparent GPS jamming is likely part of Russia's intensifying hybrid campaign directly targeting NATO states likely aimed at undermining support for Ukraine and NATO unity," the ISW said.
Finland approves defense pact with US
Spurred by Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Finland entered NATO in April 2023, extending the NATO-Russian border by roughly 1,340 kilometers (830 miles).
Ukraine war latest: Kremlin claims 'provocations' from US drones over Black Sea, prepares potential response
Key updates on June 28: * Kremlin claims 'provocations' from US drones over Black Sea, prepares potential response * Drone hits oil depot in Tambov Oblast, Russian official says * Russia hits nine-story residential building in downtown Dnipro, killing at least 1, injuring 5 * Another Russian Su-25 downed, Ukraine's National Guard claims * Finland
Finland announces $170 million in new military aid for Ukraine
The total amount of military assistance Finland has provided Ukraine now stands at 2.2 billion euros ($2.3 billion), the Finnish Defense Ministry said.
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