Finland

Finland has approved the 27th package of military aid to Ukraine worth 198 million euros. The total amount of Finnish defense aid since the beginning of the full-scale invasion has reached 2.5 billion euros.

Alexander Stubb said that Putin understands only harsh rhetoric and ultimatums. The President of Finland supported Trump's approach to forcing Putin into peace talks.

The 16th EU sanctions package against Russia will not include a complete ban on Russian LNG imports. The package will include restrictions on shadow fleet tankers, aluminum, and gaming equipment.

The Ukrainian Navy believes that frequent damage to submarine cables in the Baltic Sea may be a new tactic of the Russian Federation. Since November 2024, there have been several cases of cable damage in different countries.

The President of Ukraine met with the President of Finland at the World Economic Forum. The parties discussed strengthening defense capabilities, security guarantees and a new military aid package.

Donald Trump officially took office as President of the United States on January 20, 2025. The leaders of Canada, the United Kingdom, the EU, NATO, and Finland have sent congratulations and expressed their willingness to cooperate.

US and European intelligence agencies believe that the damage to the submarine cables in the Baltic Sea was caused by accidents. The evidence points to the inexperience of the crews of the vessels, not to Russian sabotage.

HMD Global has withdrawn all Nokia smartphones and tablets from sale on its official website. Button phones remain available, but the company has not yet provided official comments on the future of the brand.

Another power cable with anchor marks was found damaged in the Baltic Sea. Sweden's Defense Minister confirmed that this is the third damaged cable after the incident with the Yi Peng 3.

Lviv International Airport is maintaining its infrastructure and exploring the possibility of resuming flights. The airport has optimized its staff by up to 30% and trained 1,300 aviation professionals.

Sweden is sending three warships and a reconnaissance aircraft to a new NATO mission in the Baltic Sea. The mission is aimed at protecting submarine cables.

The Eagle S ship that damaged the Estlink 2 electric cable belongs to a Dubai-based company. It was discovered that 55 vessels of the Russian “shadow fleet” are registered in Dubai.

NATO is stepping up technical surveillance in the Baltic Sea region after an incident involving damaged submarine cables. Two ships have already been deployed to protect the infrastructure.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister had a phone conversation with EU High Representative Kaja Kallas. The parties discussed coordination of efforts in Ukraine-EU relations, the Food from Ukraine initiative and assistance to Syria.

Ukraine has set an example for European countries in refusing to use Russian nuclear fuel for Soviet-designed reactors. Three EU countries already use Westinghouse fuel, and two more are preparing to switch.

Elina Valtonen stated that NATO is a defense alliance and does not pose a threat to Russia. The Minister emphasized that free nations choose to be members of the Alliance.

The President of Ukraine meets with OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Elina Valtonen to discuss strengthening sanctions against Russia's shadow fleet. Finland provides Ukraine with 26 defense aid packages worth €2.3 billion.

Minister Sibiga met with Finnish Foreign Minister Valtonen to discuss strengthening air defense and countering Russia's hybrid threats. The parties agreed on the priorities of Finland's OSCE Chairmanship for 2025.

Ukraine has improved its position in the Henley Passport Index 2025, rising to 30th place with 148 visa-free destinations. Singapore topped the ranking with access to 195 countries, ahead of Japan and European countries.

The Finnish authorities have discovered 32 technical malfunctions on the Eagle S tanker carrying Russian oil. The vessel remains under arrest on suspicion of damaging the submarine cable between Finland and Estonia.

Eight Nordic countries have announced their intention to increase assistance to Moldova after the suspension of Russian gas supplies on January 1, 2025. The NB8 countries praised the Moldovan authorities for their efforts to ensure energy stability.

Law enforcers have recovered an anchor from the Gulf of Finland that is believed to belong to the Russian tanker Eagle S. The discovery may be related to the damage to the communication cable between Finland and Estonia on December 25.

NATO is deploying up to 10 ships to the Baltic Sea to protect critical underwater infrastructure. The operation will last until April and is being carried out at the request of Finland and Estonia.

The Cameroon-flagged cargo ship Shunxing 39, owned by a Chinese company, damaged a communication cable near the port of Keelung. Taiwan asked South Korea for help in investigating the incident.

Since 2022, Finnish customs has launched more than 900 pre-trial investigations into the export of sanctioned goods to Russia. Recent cases include the illegal supply of drones and electronics worth hundreds of thousands of euros.

A Finnish court has rejected a petition to release the Eagle S tanker from the “shadow fleet” that damaged energy and communication cables. The Cook Islands-flagged vessel is suspected of serious crimes.

A series of incidents in the Baltic Sea, including the shooting of a German helicopter and damage to an undersea cable, point to hybrid warfare by Russia. NATO recorded about 300 interceptions of Russian aircraft last year.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte promised to increase military presence in the Baltic Sea after the incidents with the cables. Poland proposed to make the Baltic Sea a zone of enhanced NATO military control.

NATO is stepping up its military presence in the Baltic Sea after submarine cables between Estonia and Finland were damaged. The alliance is treating the incident as a possible sabotage and is planning additional security measures.

The Czech Republic ranks 4th in the world in terms of consumption of diabetes and cardiovascular drugs. Experts attribute this to both high morbidity and excessive consumption of medicines.