Finland

Finland has extended the closure of the border with Russia for another two months, until April 14, due to security risks.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that the Hungarian parliament may ratify Sweden's application for NATO membership after it reconvenes in late February.

The Italian company continues to supply weapons to Russia through third-party intermediaries despite the sanctions.

By October 2024, the Czech government will request the opinion of the National Economic Council on the feasibility of joining the European Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM II) as a prerequisite for the introduction of the euro.

Representatives of Ukraine and Sweden discussed the financial terms and obligations of Ukraine to participate in the project, as well as the terms, conditions, and mechanism for the procurement of CV-90 infantry fighting vehicles.

Austrian museums deny claims that Egon Schiele's paintings, which belonged to a Jewish collector, were looted by the Nazis.

Hungary's parliament will meet on Monday at the request of opposition parties to consider ratification of Sweden's NATO membership application.

Syrian citizens are being deceived into signing contracts with the Russian military, promising them jobs and citizenship, but in reality being sent to fight in Ukraine.

Ukraine is actively developing partnerships in the defense industry, having concluded dozens of agreements on joint arms production with more than two dozen countries.

Finland did not grant asylum to any of the migrants who arrived from Russia across the border at the end of last year.

Israel calls on UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to resign after allegations that some UNRWA staff were involved in a Hamas attack.

According to the commander of the Estonian Defense Forces, russia is deliberately disrupting GPS in Europe to test equipment and interference capabilities amid potential future conflicts with NATO.

Zelenskyy thanked Finnish President Sauli Niinistö for his personal support of Ukraine, including defense assistance and advocacy for Ukraine's integration into Euro-Atlantic organizations.

In 2023, Ukraine was ranked 104th out of 180 countries in the Global Corruption Perceptions Index, improving its position by 3 points and receiving 36 points out of 100. Over the past 10 years since the Revolution of Dignity, Ukraine has added 11 points, the largest increase among the current EU candidate countries.

Former Finnish Prime Minister Alexander Stubb received the most votes (27. 2%) in the first round of the presidential election in Finland. He will face former Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto (25.8% of the vote) in the second round on February 11.

The United Kingdom, Italy and Finland have suspended funding for the UN Refugee Agency in Gaza following allegations that some staff members were involved in the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel. Earlier, the United States, Australia and Canada also froze funding for the Agency.

Finland has decided to send Ukraine the 21st package of military aid worth 106 million euros, the content of which is not disclosed for security reasons.

The Economist magazine named Greece the Country of the Year for its successful economic reforms and recovery from the debt crisis. The country continues to develop despite past difficulties.

Turkish President Erdogan has made Sweden's accession to NATO a condition for the United States to approve Turkey's request to buy F-16 fighter jets and called on Canada to end its arms embargo on Turkey.

Estonia has made the necessary exceptions to sanctions against russia to avoid environmental hazards associated with stuck fertilizers and to ensure a transition away from russian investments.

ISW analyzed statements by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, who emphasized ongoing military expansion and preparations to support the war in Ukraine. Shoigu repeated threats against NATO. as ISW notes, Russia's military growth is mostly a confirmation of existing troop levels, not new builds.

The United States is forming a new military pact with European countries, increasing the number of American soldiers and bases in Northern Europe.

Denmark has signed a defense agreement with the US to station US troops and equipment in Denmark, which is pending parliamentary approval, which could take a year. This agreement is in line with similar US agreements with Norway, Sweden and Finland.

The EU Council has reached consensus on packaging waste reform, adding exemptions for wine and cardboard to gain broader support, while environmental activists express disappointment over the weakening of reuse targets. Denmark and Belgium have expressed concerns about the revised proposals.

Finland has approved about 200 exemptions from sanctions against Russia out of more than 500 requests, mainly for lifting personal sanctions and transferring funds. The exemptions also allow payments related to the property of sanctioned persons and facilitate the exit of Finnish companies from russia.

A Finnish court has detained Russian neo-Nazi Jan Petrovsky on suspicion of committing war crimes in Ukraine; he is to be charged by May 31, 2023. Petrovsky is associated with terrorist activities in Donbas and is under international sanctions.

Rheinmetall will supply the Ukrainian Armed Forces with tens of thousands of artillery shells in 2025 under a framework contract.

American Admiral Aquilino is "very concerned" about the growing military ties between China and Russia, as he said during meetings with representatives of the Japanese defense industry.

Finland has stepped up border security, maintaining stability despite two people recently crossing the border illegally and seeking asylum. Since the closure of the Niirala border crossing, no unauthorized border crossings have been recorded.

Austria tops the EU's "quality of life" index with a score of 7. 9/10, while Bulgaria has the lowest score of 5.6, while the EU average is 7.1. Life satisfaction is also influenced by factors other than income, such as education and family.