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Former PM Alexander Stubb wins Finnish presidency, narrowly defeating ex-top diplomat Pekka Haavisto
Read full article: Former PM Alexander Stubb wins Finnish presidency, narrowly defeating ex-top diplomat Pekka HaavistoEx-Prime Minister Alexander Stubb has narrowly won Finland’s presidential election runoff on Sunday against former Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto.
Ex-Prime Minister Alexander Stubb wins first round of Finland's presidential vote to set up a runoff
Read full article: Ex-Prime Minister Alexander Stubb wins first round of Finland's presidential vote to set up a runoffFormer Prime Minister Alexander Stubb has won the first round of Finland’s presidential election and will face runner-up ex-Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto in a runoff next month.
Finland's top diplomat hints at joining NATO without Sweden
Read full article: Finland's top diplomat hints at joining NATO without SwedenFinland’s foreign minister has suggested that the country may consider joining NATO without neighboring Sweden if Turkey continues to block their joint bid to enter the military alliance.
EU reaches deal on Ukraine aid, tax on big corporations
Read full article: EU reaches deal on Ukraine aid, tax on big corporationsThe European Union has reached a deal in principle to send an 18 billion euro ($18.93 billion) financial aid package to Ukraine and approve a minimum tax of major corporations in a big move that narrowed a rift between the European Union and recalcitrant member Hungary.
EXPLAINER: How was Turkey’s veto of Nordic NATO bid avoided?
Read full article: EXPLAINER: How was Turkey’s veto of Nordic NATO bid avoided?When the leaders of Finland, Sweden and Turkey met with NATO’s chief this week, some remained pessimistic the meeting would lessen Turkey’s objections to the Nordic pair’s historic request to join NATO.
Turkey lifts its objections to Sweden, Finland joining NATO
Read full article: Turkey lifts its objections to Sweden, Finland joining NATOTurkey has agreed to lift its opposition to Sweden and Finland joining NATO, a breakthrough in an impasse clouding a leaders’ summit in Madrid amid Europe’s worst security crisis in decades triggered by the war in Ukraine.
Sweden says it's not providing money, military aid to Kurds
Read full article: Sweden says it's not providing money, military aid to KurdsSweden has denied it is providing any “financial assistance or military support” to Kurdish groups or entities in Syria — claims that Turkey’s using to back its opposition to Sweden’s and neighboring Finland’s historic bids to join NATO.
Crucial NATO decisions expected in Finland, Sweden this week
Read full article: Crucial NATO decisions expected in Finland, Sweden this weekThe question of whether to join NATO is coming to a head this week in Finland and Sweden, where Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has shattered the long-held belief that remaining outside the military alliance was the best way to avoid trouble with their giant neighbor.
Finland, Sweden brush off Moscow's warning on joining NATO
Read full article: Finland, Sweden brush off Moscow's warning on joining NATOFinland and Sweden have brushed off warnings from neighboring Russia that their possible joining NATO would trigger “serious military-political consequences” from Moscow.
Russia says it's open to better ties with EU despite chill
Read full article: Russia says it's open to better ties with EU despite chillIn this handout photo released by Russian Foreign Ministry Press Service, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov speaks during his talks with Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto in St. Petersburg, Russia, Monday, Feb. 15, 2021. Lavrov blamed the European Union for a freeze in ties and argued that Moscow remains ready to mend relations. Just as EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell was visiting Russia earlier this month, Moscow announced the expulsion of diplomats from Germany, Poland and Sweden for attending protests in support of Navalny. Haavisto emphasized the EU's strong criticism of the Russian action, noting that the EU diplomats were fulfilling their duty while observing the protests. “Our relations with the EU don't matter when it comes to that,” Lavrov said.
EU to slap sanctions on Russia officials over Navalny attack
Read full article: EU to slap sanctions on Russia officials over Navalny attackCypriot Foreign Minister Nicos Christodoulides, left, speaks with European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, second right, during a meeting of European Union foreign ministers at the European Council building in Luxembourg, Monday, Oct. 12, 2020. European Union foreign ministers were weighing Monday whether to impose sanctions on Russian officials and organizations blamed for the poisoning of opposition leader Alexei Navalny with a Soviet-era nerve agent. (Jean-Christophe Verhaegen, Pool via AP)BRUSSELS – European Union foreign ministers agreed Monday to impose sanctions on Russian officials and organizations blamed for the poisoning of opposition leader Alexei Navalny with a Soviet-era nerve agent. “It was a complete acceptance by all member states,” EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell told reporters after the talks. Last week, tests conducted at labs designated by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons confirmed that Navalny was the victim of a Novichok nerve agent.