Finland will keep its border with Russia closed until further notice over migration concerns

HELSINKI (AP) — Finland will extend the closure of its border crossing points with Russia beyond the current April 14 deadline “until further notice” due to a high risk of organized migration orchestrated by Moscow, the Finnish government said on Thursday. The Finnish Interior...

Sweden officially joins NATO, ending decades of post-World War II neutrality

WASHINGTON (AP) — Sweden on Thursday formally joined NATO as the 32nd member of the transatlantic military alliance, ending decades of post-World War II neutrality and centuries of broader non-alignment with major powers as security concerns in Europe have spiked following Russia’s 2022...

Newly enlarged NATO starts drill in Finland, Norway and Sweden in defense of its Nordic turf

HELSINKI (AP) — NATO kicked off an exercise on Monday to defend its newly expanded Nordic territory when more than 20,000 soldiers from 13 nations take part in drills lasting nearly two weeks in the northern regions of Finland, Norway and Sweden. With over 4,000 Finnish soldiers...

Finland's new president Alexander Stubb says the Nordic country enters 'a new era' as a NATO member

HELSINKI (AP) — Alexander Stubb was sworn in Friday as Finland’s new president and said that the Nordic country "is facing a new era" after becoming a NATO member — something he will demonstrate by making his first foreign trip to inspect the military alliance's drill in neighboring Norway's...

Senators warily allow F-16 sale to Turkey as part of NATO expansion agreement. 'A deal's a deal'

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. senators declined on Thursday to block the sale of F-16s to Turkey, despite voicing deep disdain for Turkey's conduct as an ally. They were upholding an unofficial bargain that Turks would get the fighter jets if they stopped blocking Sweden's accession to NATO. ...

Polish prime minister says his country and Finland want changes on EU border policies on migration

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Poland’s prime minister said on Friday that his country will upgrade the wall on its border with Belarus to better insulate the frontier against unauthorized migration. Donald Tusk also said that Poland and Finland both see the need for changes in the...

New NATO member Finland elects a president set to keep up hard line on neighboring Russia

HELSINKI (AP) — Former Prime Minister Alexander Stubb has narrowly won a runoff vote to become Finland's next president, who will steer security policy that includes integrating the new NATO member into the alliance at a time of concern over Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The final...

Former PM Alexander Stubb wins Finnish presidency, narrowly defeating ex-top diplomat Pekka Haavisto

HELSINKI (AP) — Former Prime Minister Alexander Stubb won Finland’s election runoff Sunday against ex-Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto in a close race for the presidency and the task of steering the Nordic country’s foreign and security policy now that it is a member of NATO, following...

Preliminary results in Finnish presidential election indicate conservative Alexander Stubb has won, broadcaster YLE says

As Finns choose a new president, one thing is certain: A hard line on Russia will continue

HELSINKI (AP) — Finns on Sunday will choose either of two experienced politicians to be their next head of state, whose main task will be to steer the Nordic country’s foreign and security policy now that it is a member of NATO, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Ex-Prime...