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Post by Admin on May 10, 2022 18:17:38 GMT
Finland expected to begin process of joining Nato this week - BBC News 52,889 views May 11, 2022 It is widely expected that Finland will begin the process of joining Nato this week. The move will redraw Europe's security map dramatically and will be seen in Moscow as a hostile act. For many Finnish people, Russia's invasion of Ukraine has reawakened memories of the country's own wars against the Soviet Union. Only the strong military tradition saved the country from being forcibly incorporated into the communist state. Key decision-makers in non-aligned Finland and Sweden are set to announce their positions on NATO membership this week in what could be a serious blow to Russia as its military struggles to make decisive gains in Ukraine. If Finland’s president and the Social Democrats who govern both countries ignore Moscow’s warnings and come out in favor of accession, NATO could soon add two new members right on Russia’s doorstep. Such an expansion by the Western military alliance would leave Russia surrounded by NATO countries in the Baltic Sea and the Arctic, as well as represent a serious setback for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Putin cited NATO’s previous expansion in Eastern Europe - and the possibility of Ukraine joining the alliance - among the reasons for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24. On Monday, he marked Victory Day - the holiday when Russia commemorates Nazi Germany’s surrender in World War II - without being able to celebrate any major breakthroughs in Ukraine. Belonging to NATO would be a historic development for the two Nordic countries: Sweden has avoided military alliances for more than 200 years, while Finland adopted neutrality after its defeat by the Soviet Union in World War II.
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Post by Admin on May 11, 2022 11:55:30 GMT
Watch live: Boris Johnson news conference with Swedish PM 1,157 watching now Started streaming 10 minutes ago Prime Minister Boris Johnson is holding a news conference with Swedish PM Magdalena Andersson as the country considers applying to join NATO alongside Finland.
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Post by Admin on May 11, 2022 20:14:02 GMT
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The leaders of Japan and Finland met Wednesday to discuss the implications of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and to deepen their nations' strategic partnership.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin are expected to share their opposition to any unilateral attempt to change the status quo by force, with Russia's widely-condemned invasion of Ukraine front of mind.
The crisis in Ukraine has motivated Finland and its neighbor Sweden, both of which have faced Russian aggression in the past, to consider joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Russian President Vladimir Putin considers NATO a threat to his nation's security, especially as it pushes eastward.
Ahead of her first in-person summit with Kishida, Marin told an event in Tokyo on Wednesday that her country will make a decision on applying for NATO membership soon.
Japan is closely following developments and Kishida may exchange views with Marin on Finland's potential participation in the collective security framework, Japanese officials said.
Since the Russian aggression began in February, Kishida has repeatedly raised concerns about its ramifications beyond Europe. Japan, along with the United States and other like-minded nations, is pushing for a "free and open" Indo-Pacific as an assertive China is expanding its sphere of influence.
Japan and Finland have been deepening ties as strategic partners that share universal values such as democracy and the rule of law. On the economic front, science and technology are key areas of cooperation as Finland is known to be forward-thinking in terms of digitalization.
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Post by Admin on May 12, 2022 6:16:08 GMT
UK agrees mutual security deals with Finland and Sweden - BBC News 77,486 views May 12, 2022 The UK has agreed mutual security pacts with Sweden and Finland, agreeing to come to their aid should either nation come under attack.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson visited both countries to sign the deals, amid debate about them joining Nato.
The pacts also state that Finland and Sweden would assist the UK in a crisis.
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Post by Admin on May 12, 2022 7:07:04 GMT
Finnish President tells Russia 'You caused this' as he signs security pact with UK 1,688,745 views May 12, 2022 The President of Finland, Sauli Niinistö has told a news conference in Helsinki that Russia's invasion of Ukraine "changed the picture" on the country's security.
In a message to Russia he said, "you caused this - look at the mirror".
Mr Niinistö was speaking after he signed a joined security pact with Boris Johnson.
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