Tag: Finland

Russia’s Military Reforms Respond to NATO’s Expansion, Ukraine: Chief of General Staff

Russia’s new military reforms respond to possible NATO expansion and the use of Kyiv by the “collective West” to wage a hybrid war against Russia, the newly appointed general in charge of Russia’s military operations in Ukraine said. Valery Gerasimov, in his first public comments since his Jan. 11 appointment to the role, admitted also…


Turkey Puts Brakes on Nordic NATO Bids, Citing ‘Act of Provocation’

Turkey appears to have thrown cold water on a joint bid by Sweden and Finland to become members of the Western NATO alliance. On Jan. 23, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Sweden could “no longer expect” Turkish support for its NATO accession efforts. As a NATO member, Turkey wields veto power over bids by…


Sweden’s NATO Bid Faces Turkish Headwind, Finland Says No Hurry to Join Military Alliance

Turkey is resisting Sweden’s push to join NATO due to disagreement on extradition requests between the two nations, while Finland insists that it will only join the military alliance together with Sweden. “Turkey both confirms that we have done what we said we would do, but they also say that they want things that we…


Study of Stroke Patients Reveal Singing Boosts Communication and Quality of Life

A study by the University of Helsinki has found that singing enhances stroke patients’ communication and language production, makes them more social and reduces the burden on caregivers. Published in Brain Communications on Dec. 27, 2022, the research included 54 stroke patients who were given weekly group-based singing training for four months. “Our study utilised…


Biden Admin Approves $323 Million Sale of Missiles, Weapons to Finland

The Biden administration on Monday announced it has approved a possible sale of missiles and weapons to Finland worth an estimated $323.3 million. It comes after Finland and Sweden sought to join NATO earlier this year following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine that sparked ongoing war in the region. “The State Department has made a determination approving…


Welcome to NATO, Finland and Sweden

Commentary There is a phenomenon in social sciences called the “law of unintended consequences.” Basically, this is when the outcome of a purposeful action is unexpected or unforeseen. In other words, someone does A expecting B, but instead gets C. Unintended consequences can be positive—such as when the IRS sends you a tax refund that…


Sweden, Finland Step in to Avert Lehman-Like Situation for Power Companies

STOCKHOLM/HELSINKI—Finland and Sweden on Sunday 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. Finland is aiming to offer 10 billion euros ($9.95 billion) and Sweden plans to offer 250 billion Swedish crowns ($23.2…


Estonia, Finland Want Europe to End Russian Tourist Visas

COPENHAGEN, Denmark—The leaders of Estonia and Finland want fellow European countries to stop issuing tourist visas to Russian citizens, saying they should not be able to take vacations in Europe while the Russian government carries out a war in Ukraine. Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas wrote Tuesday on Twitter that “visiting Europe is a privilege,…


US Senate Votes in Favor of Finland, Sweden Joining NATO

The U.S. Senate on Aug. 3 overwhelmingly approved Finland and Sweden’s candidacy to NATO, expanding the Western military bloc in a response to the Russia–Ukraine war. The Senate voted 95–1 to support ratification of the two countries’ accession documents. The ratification required approval by at least two-thirds of the chamber. President Joe Biden had sought…


US Senate Votes to Support Finland, Sweden Joining NATO

The U.S. Senate on Aug. 3 voted with overwhelming bipartisan support to approve Finland and Sweden’s accession to NATO, expanding the Western military bloc in a response to the Russia–Ukraine war. The Senate voted 95–1 to support ratification of the two countries’ accession documents. The ratification had required approval by two-thirds of the chamber. President…