Is A Chinese Ship Responsible For Damaging A Pipeline Between Finland And Estonia?

Chinese ship is focus of investigation into damaged pipeline, Finland says https://t.co/ol8DwZm9Tp pic.twitter.com/whekvu1yWi

— Guardian World (@guardianworld) October 20, 2023

The Guardian: Chinese ship is focus of investigation into damaged pipeline, Finland says  

Police focusing on Newnew Polar Bear cargo ship that was in the area when gas pipeline was damaged 

Finnish police have said a Chinese ship whose movement coincided with the time and place of the suspected sabotage of a pipeline between Finland and Estonia that was damaged this month is now the focus of their investigation. 

After a leak led to the shutdown of the Balticconnector pipeline on 8 October, Finnish authorities have been investigating the damage they say was caused by “external” activity. 

On Friday, they said their focus was on the Newnew Polar Bear, a cargo ship that reportedly came under Chinese ownership this year. Between 2017 and 2022 it was known as the Baltic Fulmar, the Finnish broadcaster YLE reported.  

Read more .... 

 Update #1: Pipeline damage probe centers on Chinese ship, Finland says -- Politico  

Update #2: China ship is focus of pipeline damage probe, Finland says -- Reuters  

WNU Editor: This si not the only incident that has happened this month .... Sweden reports damage to undersea cable to Estonia as Finland investigates its own pipeline damage (FOX News).

Finland's President Says Damage To Gas Pipeline And Telecom Cable Connecting Finland And Estonia Was Deliberate

 

The Guardian: Undersea pipeline damage appears to be deliberate, says Finland  

Media cites intelligence sources saying Russian sabotage suspected after unusual drop in pressure 

Extensive damage to an undersea gas pipeline and communications cable connecting Finland and Estonia “could not have occurred by accident” and appears to be the result of a “deliberate … external act”, Finnish authorities have said. 

“It is likely that the damage to both the gas pipeline and the communication cable is the result of external activity,” the Finnish president, Sauli Niinistö, said on X, formerly Twitter, on Tuesday, adding that the cause of the damage was not yet clear.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: The Kremlin is responding to claims that they are responsible for this sabotage .... Kremlin Comments on NATO Oil Pipeline Leak Amid Russian 'Sabotage' Claims (Newsweek). More here .... Kremlin Says Damage to Baltic Pipeline Is 'Disturbing', Mentions Nord Stream Attack (Reuters).  

 Finland's President Says Damage To Gas Pipeline And Telecom Cable Connecting Finland And Estonia Was Deliberate  

Damage to gas pipeline, telecom cable connecting Finland and Estonia caused by 'external activity' -- AP  

Finland blames 'external activity' after undersea natural gas pipeline breached -- UPI 

NORSAR blames gas pipeline explosion on foul play, investigating sabotage -- FOX News  

Key European gas pipeline damaged amid suspicions of Russian sabotage -- The Telegraph 

Finland suspects "external activity" damaged gas line to Estonia -- Axios  

New Attack on Europe’s Energy Pipelines, Finland Says -- CEPA

Finland Begins Constructing The First Section Of a 200-Kilometer Fence With Russia

Finnish border guards stand near a border fence with Russia in Pelkola, Finland, April 14, 2023. Photo by Janis Laizans/REUTERS  

Moscow Times/AFP: Finland Unveils First Section of Russian Border Fence 

Finland's border guard on Friday unveiled the first section of a 200-kilometer border fence with Russia being built after Moscow invaded Ukraine last year. 

Finland joined NATO just a week ago and its 1,300-kilometer border has also doubled the frontier between the U.S.-led military alliance and Russia. 

Three meters tall and topped with barbed wire, it will cost around 380 million euros ($417 million) and is due to be completed by 2026.

 Officials showed the construction site of the first three-kilometer section near the Imatra border crossing point in southeastern Finland. 

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: During the Cold War the Soviet Union put up the Iron Curtain. Decades later the West puts up a fence. 

Finland Begins Constructing The First Section Of a 200-Kilometer Fence With Russia  

NATO member Finland breaks ground on Russia border fence -- AP  

Finland starts fence on Russian border amid migration, security concerns -- Reuters  

Finland Starts Building Fence on Parts of NATO's Eastern Flank -- Bloomberg  

Europe’s new wall: Finland is building a 124-mile-long border fence to protect itself from Russia -- El Pais

Finland’s Prime Minister Sanna Marin Defeated By Conservative Coalition In General Election

 

Daily Mail: Finland's 'Party Prime Minister' Sanna Marin LOSES general election: Right-wing coalition including the far-Right claims victory over Social Democrats in extremely tight general election 

* Sanna Marin became the world's youngest prime minister in 2019 at age 34 

* But her Social Democrats party is headed for defeat by two conservative parties 

Finland's 'Party Prime Minister' Sanna Marin has lost lost her bid for a second term - as a right-wing coalition claims victory over her Social Democrats in an extremely tight general election. 

Marin, who made global headlines after she was seen dancing wildly in leaked videos, became the world's youngest prime minister in 2019 at age 34 and had been fighting for a second term just days before Finland's historic accession to the NATO defence alliance. 

But her party has lost out to two conservative parties in an extremely tight three-way race for control of parliament. 

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin 's party was re-soundly defeated in this election, and only days before Finland is to be formally accepted by NATO. Her defeat also continues the Zelensky curse. The EU political leaders who support Ukraine President Zelensky seem to have a history of getting defeated in the next election. 

Finland’s Prime Minister Sanna Marin Defeated By Conservative Coalition In General Election  

Finland prime minister ousted, conservatives win tight vote -- AP  

Finland's right-wing National Coalition Party claims election victory -- Reuters  

Finnish centre-right leader Orpo claims election victory, PM Sanna Marin concedes defeat -- France 24  

Sanna Marin defeated by Finland's conservatives in tight race -- BBC  

Finland: Sanna Marin concedes, Orpo claims win in tight vote -- DW  

Sanna Marin suffers defeat in Finland election as SDP beaten into third place -- The Guardian 

Finnish PM Sanna Marin set for defeat in national vote -- Politico

Turkish Parliament Approves Finland’s NATO Membership

A view from a session of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye (TBMM) General Assembly in the capital Ankara, Türkiye, Oct. 4, 2022. (AA Photo)  

BBC: Turkey approves Finland Nato membership bid 

Finland will become the 31st member of Nato after Turkey's parliament voted to approve its application. 

Turkey had delayed Finland's bid to join the West's defensive alliance for months - complaining the Nordic nation was supporting "terrorists". 

Sweden, which applied to join Nato at the same time last year, is still being blocked by Ankara over similar complaints. 

Any Nato expansion needs the support of all its members. 

Finland will now be formally admitted into Nato at its next summit, taking place in July in Lithuania. 

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan gave his approval to Finland's bid earlier in March, praising the country's "authentic and concrete steps" on Turkish security.  

Read more .... 

Turkish Parliament Approves Finland’s NATO Membership  

Turkey’s parliament ratifies Finland’s membership in NATO -- AP  

Finland’s way into Nato clears as hold-out Turkey votes in favour -- The Guardian/Reuters  

Turkey formally approves Finland’s NATO membership, in setback for Russia -- CNBC  

Turkey’s parliament ratifies Finland’s membership in NATO -- The Hill  

Turkey becomes last NATO member to ratify Finland's bid -- DW 

Turkish parliament ratifies Finland’s NATO membership -- Al Jazeera

Turkey approves Finland’s NATO application, clearing the last hurdle. Sweden is still waiting -- CNN

Nordic Countries Combine Air Defenses To Counter Russian Threat

#Nordic air chiefs sign the first Nordic Air Commanders' Intent, which is the foundation for a unified Nordic air defence. The ultimate goal is to be able to operate together as one force. Read more (in Danish) ➡️ https://t.co/p7Qc0Uv5pX #dkforsvar #dkpol https://t.co/lO2dSMH6UO

— IPC Denmark (@IPC_DK) March 24, 2023

Warzone/The Drive: Nordic Air Defense Pact Combines Forces Of Hundreds Of Fighter Aircraft 

Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden are working to combine air defense forces in the face of the Russian threat. 

To better cope with threats emanating from Russia, the countries of Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden have created a unified Nordic air defense alliance, pooling the resources of their air forces. They have upwards of 300 fighter jets between them as well as training, transport and surveillance fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. 

Those four nations on Friday announced they signed the first Nordic Air Commanders' Intent last week during a meeting at Ramstein Air Base in Germany.

“The declaration of intent strengthens Nordic cooperation and paves the way for further strengthening of the Nordic air forces,” the four nations said Friday in a joint statement. “The ultimate goal is to be able to operate seamlessly together as one force by developing a Nordic concept for joint air operations based on already-known NATO methodology.”  

Read more .... 

Nordic Countries Combine Air Defenses To Counter Russian Threat  

Nordic countries plan joint air defence to counter Russian threat -- Reuters  

Nordics form joint fleet of 200+ modern fighter jets, bad for Russia -- Insider  

Nordic countries move toward linking their air forces: 250 planes -- Defense News  

In A Historic First, Denmark, Finland, Norway & Sweden Join Forces To Operate A 250-Strong Fighter Jet Fleet -- EurAsian Times  

Nordic countries plan joint air defence to counter Russian threat -- Al Jazeera

Finland's Foreign Minister Says May Need To Join NATO Without Sweden

 

Bloomberg: Finland Floats Solo NATO Entry After Erdogan Rejects Sweden 

 (Bloomberg) -- Finland for the first time opened the door to potentially decoupling its NATO application from that of Sweden, after its neighbor encountered fresh resistance from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. 

The path floated by Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto, if it becomes more serious, would mark a significant shift in Finnish policy since the Nordic nations jointly applied to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in May. 

Faced with continued objections from Turkey — mostly to what it sees as inadequate crackdown on Kurds in Sweden — the two Nordic countries had up to now insisted their applications be considered together. It’s still unclear how much Finland will shift its approach. 

The stance remains for the two countries to enter NATO simultaneously, given security considerations, Haavisto told reporters in Helsinki on Tuesday, softening comments from earlier in the day, when he’d said Finland may need to prepare going it alone. 

Read more ....  

Update #1: Finland’s top diplomat hints at joining NATO without Sweden (AP)  

Update #2: Finland may need to join NATO without Sweden, foreign minister says  

WNU editor: I agree with the Finnish foreign minister that a time-out is needed .... Finland calls for 'time-out' in heated Nato talks with Turkey (BBC). More here .... Finland says time-out needed in talks with Turkey over NATO bid (Reuters).

Finland’s Prime Minister Admits That ‘Europe Is Not Strong To Face Russia Alone’. Needs The U.S.

 

The Guardian: Finland PM Sanna Marin says Europe is ‘not strong enough’ without the US 

Speaking in Sydney, Marin says Europe needs to build its own defence capabilities and says Finland is preparing for cyber-attacks from Russia Finnish prime minister Sanna Marin has called for Europe to build its own defence capabilities in the wake of the war in Ukraine, saying that without US help it is not resilient enough. 

“We should make sure that we are stronger,” Marin said in Sydney on Friday. “And I’ll be brutally honest with you, Europe isn’t strong enough. We would be in trouble without the United States.”  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: This is the same Finnish leader who said 9 months ago that Finland can stand up to Russia. 

Finland’s Prime Minister Admits That ‘Europe Is Not Strong To Face Russia Alone’  

Europe 'Not Strong Enough' to Take on Russia, Needs U.S. Help—Finland -- Newsweek  

Ukraine updates: Finnish PM says war shows Europe's weakness -- DW 

Finland's Prime Minister Sanna Marin says Europe 'too dependent' on technologies, energy from authoritarian states -- ABC News Australia  

Finnish PM warns Russian win would empower aggressors -- Seattle PI

Turkey Says Finland, Sweden Have Not Done Enough To Join NATO

A handout photograph made available by the Turkish Presidency Press Office on November 4, 2022 shows Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg (R) posing during their meeting in Istanbul. © Murat Cetin Muhurdar, AFP  

France 24: Turkey warns Finland, Sweden must 'take steps' before joining NATO 

Turkey will not formally approve Finland and Sweden's membership of NATO until the two countries take the necessary "steps", Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told alliance chief Jens Stoltenberg Friday. 

Ankara has accused the two Nordic nations of providing a safe haven for outlawed Kurdish militants it deems "terrorists" and held back on ratifying their NATO membership despite an agreement in June. 

"President Erdogan noted that the steps to be taken by Sweden and Finland would determine how fast the approval process... would go and when it would be concluded," the Turkish presidency said.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg is growing impatient with Turkey .... NATO chief to Turkey: It’s time to welcome Finland and Sweden as full members (Global News). More here .... NATO chief says it's 'time to welcome' Finland, Sweden (DW). 

Turkey Says Finland, Sweden Have Not Done Enough To Join NATO  

Despite diplomacy, Hungary & Turkey still blocking Sweden and Finland from NATO -- Euronews  

Turkey Says Finland, Sweden Have Not Done Enough to Join NATO -- The Libertarian Institute  

Sweden to distance itself from Kurdish groups in bid to join NATO -- Reuters  

NATO chief urges Turkey to stop stalling Sweden, Finland accession -- Al-Monitor

Finland Will Permit NATO To Deploy Nuclear Weapons On Its Border With Russia

Newsweek: Finland Will Allow NATO to Place Nuclear Weapons on Border With Russia 

In a move that could risk infuriating Russia, nuclear weapons could possibly be positioned in Finland if the country's application to join NATO is approved, according to a report from a Finnish newspaper. 

Both Finland and Sweden submitted applications to join NATO in May, in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. 

ccording to the Helsinki-based newspaper Iltalehti, the bill regarding potential NATO membership the Finnish government will put before parliament doesn't include any opt-outs for nuclear weapons. 

Speaking to the paper, defense sources said Finland's foreign and defense ministers, Pekka Haavisto and Antti Kaikkonen, gave a "commitment" to NATO in July that they wouldn't seek "restrictions or national reservations" if Helsinki's application is accepted.  

Read more ....  

Update: Finland Willing to Host NATO Nuclear Weapons on Border With Russia (Antiwar.com)  

WNU Editor: A few months ago former Russian President outlined what the Russian response would be if this should happen .... Warning from ex-Russian president on Finland or Sweden joining NATO (CBS).

Sweden And Finland Are Bailing Out Their Power Companies With The Closure Of Nord Stream 1 Gas Pipeline

Sydney Morning Herald: Nord Stream 1 closure threatens Sweden, Finland energy market with ‘Lehman Brothers’ crisis 

Stockholm: Finland and Sweden have announced plans to offer billions of dollars in liquidity guarantees to power companies in their countries after Russia’s Gazprom shut the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline, deepening Europe’s energy crisis. 

The Kremlin blamed European politicians on Sunday for the closure of the pipeline, saying their economic sanctions on Russia had hindered Gazprom from conducting maintenance. 

Finland is aiming to offer €10 billion ($14.6 billion) and Sweden plans to offer 250 billion Swedish crowns ($34 billion) in liquidity guarantees. 

“This has had the ingredients for a kind of a Lehman Brothers of energy industry,” Finnish Economic Affairs Minister Mika Lintila said on Sunday, local time.  

Read more ....

WNU Editor: Here is an easy prediction. This is going to be the first of many bailouts, and it will involve other countries and their power companis.

Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin Declares Transition To ‘War Economy’

Sputnik: Finnish Prime Minister Declares Transition to ‘War Economy’ Amid Energy Crunch 

The Nordic nation joined its European Union allies in shooting itself in the foot economically by unilaterally slashing energy purchases from Russia. 

Helsinki added to its troubles by restricting visas for Russians – who ordinarily make up a big chunk of the country’s income from tourism. Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin has compared the exceptional energy crisis being faced by her country to a “war economy.”  

“We seem to be living in a war economy. This is not a normal economic situation,” Marin said, adding that the current crunch is the third calamity faced by her government since she came into office in 2019. 

Marin laid the blame for the crisis at Russian President Vladimir Putin’s feet.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: The Finnish PM is echoing French President Macron .... Macron wants Europe to build 'wartime economy' amid Russia-Ukraine war (Business Insider).

More Videos Emerge Of Finland's PM Sanna Marin Enjoying The Club Scene

A new video of Prime Minister Sanna Marin’s “party scandal” appeared in Finland today.

Seiska writes that Marin, who is married and has been in that relationship for 18 years, was seen in many questionable situations.

Iltalehti has a sound expert confirming “flour-gang”. pic.twitter.com/Nj5A71R8Rd

— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) August 19, 2022

Daily Mail: Finland's 'Party PM' Sanna Marin faces MORE leaked video embarrassment: Married leader, 36, 'dances intimately with male pop star' at 4am in new clip - a day after she was forced to deny using drugs at wild party 

* Sanna Marin facing fresh questions as more footage of wild night out leaks 

* Married mother-of-one shown dancing intimately with rock singer in a club 

* Witnesses say she danced with three men and sat on the laps of two male companions after her entourage rolled into Klubi venue around 2.30am 

* Comes after Ms Marin denied taking drugs when more video taken earlier in the evening that captured someone using a slang word for cocaine 

Finland's prime minister is under fresh scrutiny today after video that shows the married mother-of-one dancing intimately with a man in a night club emerged. 

The footage, which is circulating on social media, shows 36-year-old Sanna Marin in Klubi night club around 4am on August 7 with her arms around a man who - according to Finnish media - is singer-songwriter Olavi Uusivirta. 

The pair can be seen swaying hip-to-hip as Uusivirta brings his face close to Mrs Marin's neck and holds his hand in the small of her back.  

Read more ....  

Update: Married Finnish PM Sanna Marin ‘danced intimately’ with man at club: video (NYPost)  

WNU Editor: She definitely enjoys having a good time.

Finnish Prime Minister Denies Taking Drugs After A Video Emerged Of Her Partying Wildly With Celebrity Friends

 

Daily Mail: Party PM! Finland's glamorous Prime Minister Marin Sanna, 36, says she has 'nothing to hide' as MP calls for her to take a DRUG test after leaked video showed her dancing wildly with celebrity friends 

* Finland's glamorous Prime Minister Sanna Marin denied she used drugs 

* The denial came after she was seen dancing and partying wildly in leaked video 

* 36-year-old world leader partying hard with group of Finnish celebrity friends 

* She seems to be in high spirits as the group sing and dance and party hard 

* Marin was forced to apologise for clubbing after Covid contact in December 

* She went out and left her PM's phone at home, sparking 'reckless' criticism 

Finland's glamorous Prime Minister Sanna Marin has denied using drugs and said she has nothing to hide after a video emerged of her partying wildly with celebrity friends. 

The 36-year-old world leader was in high spirits in the video, which appears to take place in a private apartment, as the group cavorts and dances for a mobile phone camera. 

In light of the raucous scenes, Finnish MP Mikko Kärnä, from Marin's coalition partner Centre Party, took to Twitter to urge her to take a voluntary drugs test. 

Marin denied using drugs and said in a press conference this morning that she had 'nothing to conceal or hide.'  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: Nothing wrong with having a good time. But being at a party where some are openly talking about using cocaine is a poor choice of friends to have when you are the leader of a country. Her refusal to take a drug test (so far) is not going to help.  

Update: She is now willing to take a drug test .... Finland’s prime minister ‘willing to take drug test’ after backlash over leaked footage of her partying (The Independent). 

Finnish Prime Minister Denies Taking Drugs After A Video Emerged Of Her Partying Wildly With Celebrity Friends  

Finnish PM: No drugs, just lots of dancing at ‘wild’ party -- AP 

Finland prime minister Sanna Marin 'disappointed' at party video leak - as she denies suggestions of drug use -- SKY News  

Work hard, party hard: Finland’s Sanna Marin faces backlash after leaked dancing video -- Politico  

Finnish PM Sanna Marin under fire after party video surfaces -- FOX News  

Finnish PM Sanna Marin urged to take drug test over leaked party videos -- NYPost

NATO Signs Accession Protocol For Finland, Sweden

 

CBS: NATO allies sign accession protocols for Finland and Sweden 

London — NATO's 30 ambassadors on Tuesday signed accession protocols for Sweden and Finland to join the transatlantic military alliance. 

It was the next step in the process of NATO's most significant expansion since the mid-1990s, and a direct response by the alliance to Russia's war on Ukraine. 

The protocols still must be ratified by the legislatures of each allied government before the two Nordic countries become official members, but the group's Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg called it "truly an historic moment for Finland, for Sweden and for NATO."  

Read more ....  

Update: NATO nations sign accession protocols for Sweden, Finland (AP)  

WNU Editor: Turkey is still issuing threats .... Turkey Renews Threat to Veto Sweden and Finland’s NATO Bids (Bloomberg).

NATO Formally Invites Finland And Sweden To Join The Alliance

 

Daily Mail: NATO formally invites Finland and Sweden to join the alliance after Biden said Putin is getting 'exactly what he didn't want' in the 'NATO-ization of Europe' and bolstered international US military support 

* NATO on Wednesday formally invited Sweden and Finland to join its alliance 

* President Joe Biden said Russian President Vladimir Putin is getting 'exactly what he didn't want' - the NATO-zation of Europe 

* Biden praised deal that paved way for Sweden and Finland to join NATO 

* 'Putin was looking for the Finland-ization of Europe and we're gonna get the NATO-zation of Europe,' Biden said 

* Biden added: 'And that's exactly what he didn't want to do - it's exactly what needs to be done to guarantee security for Europe' 

* Under deal made Tuesday, Turkey released its objections to Sweden and Finland 

* Biden will meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday 

NATO on Wednesday formally invited Sweden and Finland to join its alliance after Turkey dropped its objections. 

 'The accession of Finland and Sweden will make them safer, NATO stronger, and the Euro-Atlantic area more secure. 

The security of Finland and Sweden is of direct importance to the Alliance, including during the accession process,' the statement from NATO said. 

The addition of the two Nordic countries, which must be approved by each of NATO's 30 allied parliaments, will be the most extensive expansion of the alliance since the 1990s, when the post Soviet bloc countries were added.  

Read more .... 

NATO Formally Invites Finland And Sweden To Join The Alliance 

Nato summit: Turkey pushes Finland and Sweden on extradition after deal -- BBC 

NATO invites Finland, Sweden to join, says Russia is a 'direct threat' -- Reuters  

NATO formally invites Sweden, Finland to join the alliance -- France 24  

Turkey to seek extradition of 33 'terrorists' from Finland, Sweden -- DW 

NATO formally invites Finland and Sweden to join alliance -- CNN 

NATO invites Sweden, Finland become members in wake of Russia's Ukraine war -- FOX News  

NATO invites Finland, Sweden to join as alliance eyes 'direct threat' from Putin -- NBC

Sweden and Finland formally invited to join NATO as alliance tells Russia to withdraw from Ukraine 'immediately' -- SKY News

NATO Secretary General Wants Sweden And Finland To Join 'As Soon As Possible'

(LtoR) Finland's Ambassador to NATO Klaus Korhonen, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg and Sweden's Ambassador to NATO Axel Wernhoff pose during a ceremony to mark Sweden's and Finland's applications for membership in Brussels, on May 18, 2022. - JOHANNA GERON/POOL/AFP  

Zero Hedge: NATO Chief Calls For Sweden And Finland To Join 'As Soon As Possible' 

Why is NATO so anxious to induct multiple countries near the borders of Russia into the fold without concern for the geopolitical consequences? Probably because the war in Ukraine is not going so well. Or, perhaps the goal is to deliberately create an even wider conflict. Either way, NATO's behavior suggests that there is considerable information that is not being revealed to the general public. 

NATO Chief General Jens Stoltenberg has been pushing for swift approval of applications from Sweden and Finland, with Department of Defense officials in the US calling on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to quickly approve the requests.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: The US is optimistic that Swden and finland will soon become NATO members .... US is hopeful for positive Sweden, Finland NATO bid resolution (CNA/Reuters). Turkey is still an obstacle .... NATO blinks as Turkey maintains threats to block Sweden, Finland from alliance (Al-Monitor).

Finland And Sweden To Formally Submit Their NATO Bids Together

 

Politico: Finland and Sweden sign off on NATO bids — now the waiting game begins 

Finnish President Sauli Niinistö visits Stockholm as two countries prepare to join military alliance. 

STOCKHOLM — The ink was still drying on Sweden and Finland’s applications to join NATO on Tuesday when Finland’s President Sauli Niinistö arrived at the royal palace in Stockholm in a horse-drawn carriage. 

Niinistö’s state visit, scheduled several weeks ago, is seen as a potential bookend to what has been a rapid process of domestic and international discussions over accession by the two Nordic states into the Western defense alliance. 

Earlier Tuesday, in front of TV cameras, Sweden’s Foreign Minister Ann Linde had signed her country’s official application, which she said would soon go to NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg alongside a similar paper from Finland.  

Read more ....  

Update #1: Sweden and Finland to formally submit Nato bids ‘hand in hand’ (The Guardian) 

Update #2: Sweden, Finland push ahead with NATO bids as Turkey objects (AP)  

WNU Editor: The only obstacle for Sweden and Finland in their NATO bids is Turkey .... Turkey threatens to block Finland and Sweden Nato bids (BBC). But I am willing to bet that in the coming weeks NATO is going to give a deal to Turkey that will motivate Turkish President Erdogan to drop his opposition to both Finland and Sweden from joining NATO.

Finland And Sweden Confirm Their Intention To Join NATO

 

Daily Mail: Sweden confirms they also want to join NATO hours after Finland officially announced it will apply to become part of alliance despite Putin saying country has 'made a mistake' 

* Sweden's ruling Social Democratic Party has said it backs NATO membership bid 

* It comes after Finland said early Sunday it would be making its own application 

* President Sauli Niinisto and Prime Minister Sanna Marin made announcement 

* 'This is a historic day. A new era begins,' Niinisto said of Finland's decision 

* The Finnish Parliament is expected to endorse the decision in coming days 

* Yesterday, Russian strongman Vladimir Putin told the President of Finland he is making a 'mistake' by joining NATO as it faces 'no security threats' 

* Public support for the two countries to join has swelled since invasion of Ukraine 

Sweden's ruling Social Democrats said on Sunday they backed the country joining NATO, abandoning decades of opposition in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and creating a large parliament majority in favour of membership. 

With neighbouring Finland already set to hand in its application, Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson is now all but certain to enter a formal application within days. 

Many Swedish politicians said their support was conditional on Finland joining.  

Read more .... 

Finland And Sweden Confirm Their Intention To Join NATO  

Finland, Sweden inch closer to seeking NATO membership -- AP  

Finland announces 'historic' NATO bid -- AFP  

Finland and Sweden confirm intention to join Nato -- The Guardian  

Finland officially announces support for NATO membership -- DW  

Finland’s leaders say country should apply for NATO membership ‘without delay’ -- CNBC  

Finland will seek to join NATO, leaders say, ditching decades of neutrality despite Russia's threats of retaliation -- CNN

Finland President surprised at Putin's 'calm' response to NATO membership news -- FOX News  

Sweden to join Finland in Nato bid and Eurovision joy - round-up -- BBC

Sweden Declares NATO Membership Bid Hours After Neighboring Finland -- Zero Hedge

Finland's President And Prime Minister Say They Will Seek NATO Membership "Without Delay"

Joint statement by the President of the Republic and Prime Minister of Finland on Finland's NATO membershiphttps://t.co/IWJQg6Hj69 pic.twitter.com/0LV3FVyNdw

— TPKanslia (@TPKanslia) May 12, 2022

CNBC: Finland’s leaders say country should apply for NATO membership ‘without delay’ 

* Finland’s president, Sauli Niinisto, and Prime Minister Sanna Marin said Thursday that the country should apply to join NATO “without delay.” 

* Membership would be historic for the Nordic country, which has had a decadeslong policy of military neutrality. 

Finland’s president, Sauli Niinisto, and Prime Minister Sanna Marin said Thursday that the country should apply to join NATO “without delay.” 

The announcement is the strongest sign yet that Finland will make a formal application to join NATO. 

Membership would be historic for the Nordic country, which has had a decadeslong policy of military neutrality. “Finland must apply for NATO membership without delay.” the leaders said in a joint statement, adding that they hoped that “the national steps still needed to make this decision will be taken rapidly within the next few days.”  

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: No discussion. No debate. No referendum. Everything done behind closed doors. Talk about railroading a policy.

Finland's President And Prime Minister Say They Will Seek NATO Membership "Without Delay"  

Finland's leaders call for NATO membership 'without delay' -- AP  

Finland to apply to NATO 'without delay,' as Sweden mulls stance -- ABC News 

Finland leaders say country must apply to join NATO 'without delay' -- Business Insider  

Finland moves to join NATO in major shift in European alignment -- PBS News Hour 

'Finland must apply for NATO membership without delay,' Finnish leaders advise -- The Week  

Finland Will Seek NATO Membership "Without Delay" As Russia Warns Of 'Threat' To National Security -- Zero Hedge