Editor’s note — Sign up for Unlocking the World, CNN Travel’s weekly newsletter. Get news on when destinations open and close, inspiration for future adventures, plus the latest in aviation, food and drink, where to stay and other travel developments. (CNN) — The devastating loss of life and growing uncertainty has the world on edge, […]
Twice a day, a crowded train from St. Petersburg arrives in Finland, one of the last corridors out of Russia. Thousands of Russians who have a way out of the country have fled to Finland since its invasion of Ukraine, arriving at Helsinki Central Station, where a Ukrainian flag now flies. A woman, wearing the […]
Imatra, Finland, March 13 – In her snow-covered wooden house 20 minutes from Russia, Maija Poyhia wears a traditional blue headscarf that her mother carried with her when she fled the Soviet invasion of Finland during World War II. In Finland, Russia’s assault on Ukraine has drawn painful associations with the Winter War of 1939, […]
Imatra (Finland) (AFP) – In her snow-covered wooden house 20 minutes from Russia, Maija Poyhia wears a traditional blue headscarf that her mother carried with her when she fled the Soviet invasion of Finland during World War II. In Finland, Russia’s assault on Ukraine has drawn painful associations with the Winter War of 1939, when […]
Russia’s defense minister said his invasion of Ukraine was proceeding successfully, despite claims by Western leaders that the Russian military encountered unforeseen obstacles and resistance. “Everything is going according to plan, we are reporting to you here every day this week,” Sergei Shoigu told Russian President Vladimir Putin during a televised meeting of the Security […]
The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 suggested that one day the only remaining nuclear risk would come from electricity production. Perhaps it was the whistling, soothing introduction of the Scorpio winds of change that led my naïve 18-year-old brain to believe that some nations could resolve differences through diplomacy without the restraint of […]
Finland, where I served as U.S. Ambassador for nearly four years, is making headlines thanks to Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. On Friday, Finnish President Sauli Niinistö met with President Joe Biden at the White House. Finland’s defense minister is traveling to Washington this week for talks at the Pentagon. Finnish friends joke about where […]
Finland is the EU country with the longest national border with Russia. The country is not a member of NATO, but a close partner in the military alliance. Finland is considered an essential link in the very tense relations between the EU and the Kremlin. “Finland is a key partner of the United States and […]
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HELSINKI – Nordic governments are stepping up defense cooperation and preparedness planning amid regional tensions related to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The Nordic states are seeking to accelerate the deepening of joint defense measures which could lead to more serious discussions on the need for a Nordic-style solution modeled on Article 5 of the North […]
President Joe Biden met with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto on Friday with Finns at a crossroads: whether to get closer to the rest of Europe and the West in trying to join NATO as neighboring Russia hammers Ukraine. “We agree that this is not just an attack on Ukraine, it is an attack on the […]
Russian armored vehicles destroyed in the town of Bucha, west of Kiev © AFP / ARIS MESSINIS Kiev (AFP), March 3 – Ukraine accused the Kremlin of ‘nuclear terror’ and the West expressed fury on Friday after Europe’s largest nuclear power plant was attacked and seized by invading Russian forces, who continued to bomb big […]
A historic change is underway in Finland. For the first time, most Finns want to join NATO. On the other side of the Baltic Sea, the Swedes are also becoming more favorable to membership. Triggered by Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine, this could lead to a major shift in foreign policy for the militarily non-aligned […]
The Minister of Finance and President of the Eurogroup, Paschal Donohoe, travels to Estonia and Finland for a series of meetings. On Wednesday March 2 in Tallinn, Minister Donohoe will meet with Finance Minister Keit Pentus-Rosimannus to discuss the current geopolitical situation, as well as issues relating to the Eurogroup, including the economic governance review […]
Finland suspends sale of Russian alcohol in protest against Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. Alko, which holds a monopoly on Finland’s alcoholic drinks market, made the move on Monday as the war entered its fifth day. “The situation in Ukraine is exceptional and shocking, and we have taken the situation seriously,” Anu Koskinen, Alko’s vice […]
Russia’s central bank will start buying gold after a two-year hiatus as the country’s domestic producers face problems accessing international bullion markets. The Bank of Russia said in a statement that it would “resume buying gold in the domestic precious metals market.” The move comes after the central bank and several of the country’s biggest […]
Finland and Denmark said on Sunday they would close their airspace to Russian planes, joining other European countries in tightening sanctions against Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine. Finland, which shares a 1,300 kilometer (800 mile) border with Russia, is “preparing to close its airspace to Russian air traffic,” Transport Minister Timo Harakka wrote in […]
Putin posed a chilling threat to Europe by warning that if Sweden and Finland joined NATO there would be “damaging military and political consequences”. Russia shares a border with Finland and a sea border with Sweden – and the comments followed Putin’s escalating invasion of Ukraine as they tried to reach Kiev. 3 Russian spokeswoman […]
HELSINKI (AP) — Finland and Sweden have ignored warnings from neighboring Russia that their possible NATO membership would bring “serious military-political consequences” from Moscow for both countries. A Russian Foreign Ministry statement on Friday expressed concern over what it described as efforts by the United States and some of its allies to “drag” Finland and […]
There is a Finnish proverb, which roughly translates to “to be in the purse of the Lord,” says diplomat Jarmo Sareva. An Irish equivalent might be “to be on the pig’s back”. It’s a phrase he believes perfectly describes Ireland’s approach to defense and security. “Once upon a time, when life was simpler and less […]
Brussels: NATO is activating its “defense plans” for allied countries as Russia attacks non-NATO Ukraine, alliance chief Jens Stoltenberg told a press conference on Thursday. Stoltenberg also confirmed that NATO will hold a video summit on Friday to discuss the Russian invasion of its pro-Western neighbor. And he reiterated that NATO had no “plan” to […]
Finnish President Sauli Niinisto said today that Russia’s actions during the Ukraine crisis could reignite the debate over his country’s NATO membership. —Photo Reuters HELSINKI, Feb. 22 – Finnish President Sauli Niinisto said today that Russia’s actions during the Ukraine crisis could reignite the debate over his country’s NATO membership. Helsinki was quick to condemn […]
HELSINKI — As the threat of another Russian invasion of Ukraine grew, the European head of state with the longest and deepest experience of dealing with Vladimir V. Putin answered calls and offered advice to French President Emmanuel Macron and other desperate world leaders. in its difficult neighbor to the east. “’How about this, what […]