Latest Finland government News

NATO newcomer Finland is now a 'front-line state' for the alliance, Finnish president says

Apr. 23, 2024 11:19 AM EDT

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Finnish President Alexander Stubb said Tuesday that joining the NATO alliance a year ago has transformed his country into a "front-line state," given that it has doubled the military bloc's border with Russia. Finland, which became the 31st NATO member in...

A coffee roastery in Finland has launched an AI-generated blend. The results were surprising

Apr. 20, 2024 13:22 PM EDT

HELSINKI (AP) — An artisan roastery based in the Finnish capital has introduced a coffee blend that has been developed by artificial intelligence in a trial in which it's hoped that technology can ease the workload in a sector that traditionally prides itself on manual work. It is...

European Union official von der Leyen visits the Finland-Russia border to assess security situation

Apr. 19, 2024 09:32 AM EDT

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — The head of the European Union's executive branch said Friday that Finland's decision to close its border crossings with Russia over a surge in migrants is a security matter for the whole 27-member bloc to consider. European Commission President Ursula...

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

Apr. 04, 2024 10:40 AM EDT

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

Mar. 07, 2024 23:19 PM EST

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

Mar. 04, 2024 06:45 AM EST

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

Mar. 01, 2024 13:23 PM EST

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'

Feb. 29, 2024 18:48 PM EST

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

Feb. 16, 2024 06:54 AM EST

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

Feb. 12, 2024 10:20 AM EST

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...