Latest news with #AnttiHäkkänen
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Russia uses warships to protect its shadow fleet
Russia has started using warships to escort shadow fleet tankers in the Gulf of Finland for the first time. Source: Moscow Times Quote: "Russia has always had a military presence in the region... What is new is that Russia is now protecting tankers belonging to its shadow fleet in the narrow waters of the Gulf of Finland. This has involved military escort operations and the presence of armed forces," said Finnish Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen. Details: The Finnish Navy confirmed the increase in military traffic in the region. Häkkänen stressed that he did not consider this a direct threat to Finland but noted: "But it's clear that Russia is strengthening its military capabilities and remains an aggressive and dangerous neighbour to all of Europe." On 13 May, Estonia attempted to stop the Jaguar tanker, which belongs to the Kremlin's shadow fleet. In response, Russia launched a Su-35 fighter jet that violated NATO airspace to escort the vessel to the port of Primorsk. Background: On 19 May, the Russian authorities released the Green Admire tanker, which had been detained in Russian territorial waters on 18 May after leaving the port of Sillamäe, Estonia, with a shale oil cargo. The French Navy deployed the 101-metre-long reconnaissance vessel Dupuy de Lome to the Baltic Sea for the first time to intercept radio signals related to Russian activities. Estonia decided not to use the route that passes through Russian territorial waters any more after Russia detained the Green Admire oil tanker. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Finland's Foreign Ministry summons Russian ambassador in response to Russian aircraft's violation of Finnish airspace
Finland's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has summoned the ambassador of the Russian Federation, demanding an explanation for the violation of Finnish airspace by Russian military aircraft on 23 May. Source: Finnish public service media company Yle, as reported by European Pravda Details: Two Russian military aircraft are suspected of entering Finnish airspace near the town of Porvoo. Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen stated at the time that the suspected violation of territorial integrity was being taken seriously. A formal request demanding an explanation will be sent to Russia. The Gulf of Finland Coast Guard has launched a preliminary investigation into the incident. Häkkänen also said that Russian activity in the Baltic Sea has clearly increased, raising tensions in the region. Background: Last week, Polish fighter jets intercepted a Russian Su-24 bomber in international airspace over the Baltic Sea. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Newsweek
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
NATO Scrambles Jets Over 'Dangerous' Russian Bomber Maneuvers
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Two NATO members have accused Russia of provocation along the alliance's eastern flank. Poland said on Thursday that its fighter jets had intercepted a Russian Su-24 bomber that performed "dangerous" maneuvers in international airspace over the Baltic Sea. The next day, Finland said it was investigating whether Russian aircraft had breached the NATO member's airspace. Newsweek has contacted the Russian defense ministry for comment. Polish Air Force F-16 fighters take part in a NATO exercise on July 4, 2023. Polish Air Force F-16 fighters take part in a NATO exercise on July 4, It Matters Alliance members bordering the Baltic, which has been dubbed a "NATO Lake," have accused Moscow of high-risk behavior around its airspace. The latest accusations raise fears of miscalculation and test the alliance's Article 5 mutual defense clause. What To Know Polish defense minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said Thursday Warsaw's fighter jets intercepted a Russian Sukhoi Su-24 bomber in international airspace over the Baltic Sea. He called the Russian actions "dangerous and intentional" and said that Polish pilots detected, intercepted, and forced the bomber to withdraw from the area. The encounter took place between Poland and Lithuania near Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave from where Moscow's military aircraft frequently fly. Russian pilots often disable their transponders, do not file flight plans, and do not notify regional air traffic control, which NATO officials have described as high-risk behavior. On Friday, Finnish defense minister Antti Häkkänen said that two Russian military aircraft are suspected of violating Finnish airspace off the coast of Porvoo. Häkkänen said the Finnish Border Guard is investigating the incident and without providing any more details, added, "we take the suspected territorial violation seriously." Finland shares an 800-mile border with Russia and joined NATO in 2023 following Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The alliance has raised the alarm over an increasing number of incidents inside or near its airspace. Estonia said that a Russian military jet violated its airspace on May 13 after the Estonian Navy tried to stop the tanker Jaguar, believed to be in Moscow's shadow fleet that circumvents oil sanctions. What People Are Saying Finnish Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen: "We take the suspected territorial violation seriously and an investigation is underway." Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz: "Maneuvers performed by the Russian Su-24…were dangerous and intentional." What Happens Next Adding to NATO concerns is the latest warning of a Russian military buildup next to the border of Finland. Finnish defense forces' head of strategy Major General Sami Nurmi said Thursday that Russia's military had started "moderate preparations" on infrastructure close to the Finnish border. Finnish military analyst Emil Kastehelmi told Newsweek this month that Helsinki is investing significantly more in defense to deal with the potential threat. "Continuous development and preparation work is underway, which boosts the deterrence of Finland and the whole northeastern flank of NATO," he added.
News.com.au
20-05-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Finland using seized Russian assets to arm Ukraine defence forces
Finland has sent a warning shot to Russian oligarchs as it ramps up its support of Ukraine in the now three-year-long war. Finland has stood firm supporting the embattled nation since Vladimir Putin's invasion and has linked arms with several other EU members and Western allies in supplying aid. The nation joined NATO in 2023 and signed a bilateral defence pact with Ukraine to expand cooperation on intelligence, armaments, and training, providing a whopping $5.79 billion in support. But now, the funding for arms is coming from a place that hits Putin where it hurts. The Finnish government has now announced it will send €90 million (A$101 million) worth of ammunition to Ukraine, drawing directly from proceeds generated by Russian financial assets frozen by the European Union. The Finnish defence ministry confirmed the move on Monday. The European Union is currently holding an estimated $210 billion of the roughly $300 billion in Russian assets frozen across the bloc. Much of this is tied up in government bonds and reserves once held by Russia's central bank. In a shift last year, the European Commission approved using profits earned from these assets to bolster Kyiv's military through an EU-administered fund. 'We were able to negotiate additional funding for Finland's support for Ukraine,' said Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen. 'The products are purchased from Finnish industry to boost employment at home and sent to Ukraine to help its defence. I am very pleased with the outcome.' The Kremlin has yet to respond to the announcement, though it has consistently condemned similar gestures as violations of property rights and international law. Calls for Russian money to rebuild Ukraine Last year, a group of former politicians, academics, ambassadors and doctors called on the Australian federal government to redirect $9bn of frozen Russian assets to rebuild Ukraine. Russian oligarchs' 'dirty money' being held in Australia should also pursued, 26 signatories said in the letter. Signatories included former Prime Minister John Howard, former Russian ambassador Robert Tyson, former Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne, various academics, a reverend and former Prime Minister Tony Abbott. While Australia has no legal mechanism for seizing frozen assets, the signatories say Canada, Belgium and the EU have found artful ways to redirect those frozen assets. The signatories say in the letter, addressed to Treasurer Jim Chalmers, the Russian central bank has about USD$300bn of frozen assets in the West, including about AUD$9bn in Australia. The signatories want the Russian assets diverted to rebuilding Ukraine, a confirmation of how much and what type of assets are being held in Australia, and legislative change 'to ensure that Russian assets held here can be utilised to support Ukraine'. 'We make this plea because Australia can punch well above its weight at no cost to the Australian taxpayer,' they said in the letter. 'Nine billion dollars … would effectively fund the reconstruction of half of Ukraine's educational infrastructure.' A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson said Australia had sanctioned 1200 people and entities in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and cut trade with Russia to 'negligible' levels. 'Australia's goal is to empower Ukraine to end the war on its terms. We will continue to provide targeted assistance to Ukraine to impose costs on Russia,' the spokesperson said.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Finland to supply Ukraine with ammunition funded by proceeds from frozen Russian assets
Finland has joined the EU programme that provides military aid to Ukraine using proceeds from frozen Russian assets held in Europe – with €90 million allocated for this purpose. Source: Finnish Ministry of Defence, as reported by European Pravda Details: Finland has been selected as one of the countries to participate in this initiative. An agreement with the European Commission stipulates that Finland will supply Ukraine with large-calibre ammunition. The ammunition will be procured from Finland's domestic defence industry and paid for using the proceeds from frozen Russian assets, channelled through the European Peace Facility – totalling €90 million. Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen said that this mechanism both supports jobs in Finland's defence sector and strengthens aid to Ukraine. Quote: "This new package alongside our national EUR 660 million support programme will forge closer links between the Finnish industry and Finland's support for Ukraine. This is a great example of the Finnish defence industry's abilities, and it shows that our investments into ammunition production capacity are paying off." Background: On 18 May, Denmark announced a long-term military support package for Ukraine worth approximately €560 million. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
