Contents tagged with Finland
-
Finland holds large naval drills in the Baltic Sea
The MEPU-16 naval drills, which are the main drills conducted by the Finnish Naval Forces in 2016, started on Wednesday in the Gulf of Finland and the Archipelago Sea, as reported by the Finnish Broadcasting Company. 2,700 people, including 900 professional soldiers, will take part in the naval drills.
The Commander of the Finnish Navy, Mika Niemi, stated that there are approximately 1,400 recruits and 400 reservists taking part in the exercises. In addition about 30 warships, including a Hä …
-
Finland is concerned that Russia is buying Finnish property for military purposes
The Finnish Security Intelligence Service suspects that the real estate acquired by foreigners might be used for military purposes.
This was reported by the Finnish Iltalehti newspaper referring to the report of the Finnish Security Intelligence Service which was reportedly sent for review to the parliament of Finland.
“These steps can be a part of the preparation to exert influence in critical situations. The concern is about land transactions which don’t have any business logic behind them,” …
-
The Presidents of Finland and Estonia don’t exclude imposing new sanctions against Russia
During a press conference in Helsinki, the Presidents of Finland and Estonia, Sauli Niinistö and Kersti Kaljulaid, stated they have not excluded imposing additional sanctions against Russia due to its actions in Syria, reported Postimees news agency. According to the President of Estonia, Kersti Kaljulaid, who is in Finland on a State visit, what is happening in Syria is the largest humanitarian disaster of our time.
Kaljulaid noted that, according to the international community, if sanctions …
-
Finland begins large-scale air force exercise
The annual large-scale exercises of the Finnish Air Force began on Monday, October 10, 2016 as reported by the Finnish Broadcasting Company, Yle.
The exercises, referred to as ‘Ruska,’ are the largest Air Force exercises of the year. They include 2,600 participants, as well as 1,600 reservists and thousands of Air Force soldiers and airmen.
For the first time, soldiers and aircraft from the Swedish Air Force will also participate in this five-day exercise. As stated by the Lieutenant Colonel …
-
US and Finland sign cooperation agreement on defense development
Finland and the United States have signed a declaration to cooperate in the field of defense development, Yle reported.
The document notes that the defense cooperation between Finland and the United States is one of the main factors of stability in the Baltic Sea region and in northern Europe.
“The US presence in the Baltic Sea region contributes to stability in the region,” the document stated.
According to the declaration, Finland and the United States will increase the number of joint …
-
Finland suspects that a Russian Su-27 violated its airspace
The press service of the Finnish Ministry of Defense reported that a Russian Su-27 fighter jet allegedly violated the airspace of Finland on October 6th. “The incident took place at 4:43 PM local time over the Gulf of Finland to the south of Porvoo city,” the statement says. The Ministry emphasized that an unidentified aircraft allegedly flew over Finnish territory for about one minute. Finnish Air Force jets were scrambled to intercept and identify it.
The Finnish Border Guard is currently …
-
Finland says even if Russia objects it is their responsibility to assist MH17 investigation
Finland has an obligation to cooperate in the investigation of the crash of flight МН17 in eastern Ukraine, a Finnish politician and Chairman of the Opposition Social Democratic Party of Finland (SDP), Antti Rinne, believes.
According to the politician, this is a serious crime, and that’s why Holland, who is leading the international investigation, sought the assistance of his country.
“On the other hand, there are weapon supply contracts and these contracts have limits,” he said, as YLE …
-
NATO agrees to provide assistance to Finland in the event of a crisis in the Baltic
NATO will be able to provide assistance to Finland in the event of a crisis in the Baltic region. This was said by the Alliance’s Deputy Secretary-General, Alexander Vershbow.
“It is possible that a crisis in the Baltic Sea region could affect NATO members and Finland. NATO would then probably decide to respond to this by protecting member countries and by providing assistance to its close partners,” Lännen Media quoted Vershbow as saying.
Vershbow also spoke about the “very close ties” …
-
Russia places S-400 missile system along border with Finland
The Russian Federation has deployed two S-400 anti-aircraft long and medium-range missile systems near the Finnish border, according to the Finnish Broadcasting Company, Yle. The Minister of Defense of Finland, Jussi Niinisto, said that this move was predictable.
"Earlier Russia indicated it was making such moves, for example, the placement of the S-400 in the Kola Peninsula as well as in the Crimea. It is normal practice. Russia is using these systems to replace older S-300s," Niinisto said. …
-
Finnish experts see Russia as a 'real threat' to their country
Russia may pose a threat to Finland in the political, economic and military spheres, as the last report of the Finnish Institute of International Affairs (FIIA) reads.
“The Finnish authorities should realize that Russia may use its economic ties to create a conflict. Moscow’s policy towards Helsinki may be very aggressive and most issues may be politicized and used to increase tensions,” Yle reports.
As a result, experts call on Finland to reconsider its diplomatic relations with Moscow and …