Latest news with #Hakkanen
The Sun
a day ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Finland summons Russian diplomat after suspected airspace violation
HELSINKI: Finland on Wednesday summoned Russia's charge d'affaires for talks, a day after a Russian military aircraft was suspected of violating Finnish airspace, the foreign ministry told AFP. Finland's defence ministry said on Tuesday that it believed a Russian military aircraft had violated Finnish airspace off the coast of Porvoo, east of the capital Helsinki. The foreign ministry said it would provide more details after the talks. The incident came only weeks after a similar incident, which was also followed by a summoning of Russia's diplomatic representative. Finland, which joined NATO in 2023 after Moscow's fully-fledged invasion of Ukraine a year earlier, shares a 1,340-kilometre (830-mile) border with Russia. 'An investigation into the alleged violation of airspace was launched immediately,' Defence Minister Antti Hakkanen said of Tuesday's incident, adding that the coast guard would head the inquiry. Moscow has repeatedly warned Finland of possible repercussions over its decision to join NATO, amid heightened tensions. Hakkanen told AFP in mid-May that Finland was 'closely monitoring and assessing Russia's activities and intentions'. He was commenting after the New York Times published satellite images appearing to show an expansion of Russian military infrastructure near the border.
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Finland suspects Russian aircraft violated airspace
Finland, which joined Nato in 2023 following Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, has a 1,340km-long border with Russia. PHOTO: REUTERS HELSINKI - Finland's defence ministry said on June 10 it suspected a Russian military aircraft of violating its airspace. The incident, off the coast of Porvoo east of the capital Helsinki, came weeks after Finnish officials summoned the Russian ambassador over a similar accusation. Finland, which joined Nato in 2023 following Moscow's fully-fledged invasion of Ukraine, has a 1,340km-long border with Russia. 'An investigation into the alleged violation of airspace was launched immediately,' Defence Minister Antti Hakkanen said of the latest incident, adding that the coast guard would head the inquiry. Moscow has repeatedly warned Finland of possible repercussions over its decision to join Nato, and tension has been rising. Mr Hakkanen told AFP in mid-May that Finland was 'closely monitoring and assessing Russia's activities and intentions'. He was commenting after the New York Times published satellite images appearing to show an expansion of Russian military infrastructure near the border. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Finland ‘closely monitoring' borders amid reports of Russian military preparations
Finland is "closely monitoring and assessing Russia's activities and intentions" near the Finnish border, the country's Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen told AFP on May 22. The comments come after reports that Finland expects a Russian military build-up on its borders after the war in Ukraine ends. Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, NATO officials have increasingly warned Moscow could attack the alliance's members in the coming years. Finland shares a 1,300-kilometer (800-mile) border with Russia and joined NATO in 2023. "We have excellent capabilities to observe Russian operations. As a member of the alliance, Finland holds a strong security position," Hakkanen said. He also added that Russia's actions aimed to strengthen its armed forces "have not come as a surprise to Finland," but, at the same time, Finnish society "has invested broadly in preparedness for all types of disruptions and crises." Major General Sami Nurmi, the head of strategy of the Finnish defense forces, said in an interview on May 21 that the Russian military has begun "moderate preparations when it comes to building infrastructure" close to Finnish borders. Previously, on May 19, the New York Times published satellite images which seem to indicate an expansion of military facilities near the Finnish border. The Finnish Border Guard announced the completion of the first 35 km (22 miles) of a planned 200 km fence along its eastern border with Russia on May 21. The border has been closed for over a year after Helsinki accused Moscow of orchestrating a "hybrid operation" by directing asylum seekers toward Finland. Finnish authorities claim that these hybrid tactics have intensified since the country joined NATO in 2023. U.S. President Donald Trump, when asked about Russia's recent actions on May 20, said that he had "no concerns," assuring that Finland and Norway would remain "very safe." "It doesn't concern me at all. They're totally safe. These are two countries that will be very safe," Trump said. Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov said last December that Russia must be ready for a potential conflict with NATO in the next 10 years. Moscow has also issued a number of veiled and overt threats to the West over its support for Kyiv, including warnings of a possible nuclear response. NATO countries in Russia's vicinity have intensified their preparations for a possible conflict. Poland and the Baltic countries moved to abandon a treaty banning land mines and are strengthening the borders shared with Russia and its ally Belarus while urging higher defense spending across the alliance. Read also: Ukraine's new drone strategy — cripple Moscow's airports, make Russian population 'pay' We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Straits Times
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Nato member Finland ‘closely' monitoring Russian military build-up near border
A Finnish Border Guard standing next to a new barrier fence on the Finnish-Russian border in Nuijamaa, Finland, on May 21. PHOTO: REUTERS HELSINKI - Finland is closely monitoring Russia's military activities near its eastern border after Finland's armed forces and international media reported a build-up, the defence minister told AFP on May 22. Finland, which dropped decades of military non-alignment to join Nato in 2023, has a 1,340km border with Russia. Satellite images published in the New York Times appear to show an expansion of Russian military infrastructure near the border. 'Russia is building more infrastructure to be able to bring in more troops after the war (in Ukraine) is over,' the Finnish Defence Forces told AFP. Together with its allies, Finland is 'closely monitoring and assessing Russia's activities and intentions', Defence Minister Antti Hakkanen told AFP in an email. He said Russia's moves 'to strengthen its armed forces have not come as a surprise to Finland'. Moscow has repeatedly warned Finland of repercussions since joining Nato after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. 'We have excellent capabilities to observe Russian operations. As a member of the alliance, Finland holds a strong security position,' Mr Hakkanen said. He said Finland had a 'robust national defence' based on conscription and a large reserve force. 'Our entire society has invested broadly in preparedness for all types of disruptions and crises,' he added. Defence Forces deputy chief of staff for strategy, Major-General Sami Nurmi, told Finnish broadcaster Yle that Russia's build-up near the border was expected. 'That is consistent with what has been assessed. It is not a question of a mass construction effort,' he told Yle. He said the activity did not pose an immediate threat to Finland. The Nordic country has beefed up its military investments and preparedness since joining Nato. In April, it announced it would boost defence spending to at least 3 per cent of GDP by 2029 and launch a reform of its defence forces to tackle the security threat. Finland shut its border with Russia in December 2023 after the arrival of around 1,000 migrants without visas. Helsinki said the surge was orchestrated by Russia – a claim Moscow denied. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Finland looks to increase age of reservists to 65, amid Russia tensions
Mr Antti Hakkanen said Finland's defence is based on general conscription, a trained reserve and a strong will to defend the country. PHOTO: AFP Finland looks to increase age of reservists to 65, amid Russia tensions HELSINKI - Finland said on May 14 that it was looking at increasing the maximum age of reservists to 65 as part of plans to strengthen security because of tensions with neighbouring Russia. The proposal, if approved, would mean the number of reservists in the Nato member would reach one million by 2031 – an increase of 125,000. Finns currently remain part of the reserve until the age of 50 for enlisted soldiers or 60 for non-commissioned officers and reserve officers. 'Finland's defence capability is based on general conscription, a trained reserve and a strong will to defend the country,' Defence Minister Antti Hakkanen said in a statement. 'By raising the maximum age of reservists, we are giving more people the possibility to participate in national defence,' he said. All Finnish men have to complete military service from the age of 18, and about 900,000 conscripts have already had military training. The increase in numbers would happen over the next five years, as those who reach the age of 60 become liable to serve for a further five years. The defence ministry has put the proposal out for consultation until the end of next month before it is submitted to Parliament. 'This is proof for Nato allies that Finland did not pause when it joined Nato but takes the strengthening of national defence very seriously,' Mr Hakkanen told public broadcaster Yle. Finland shares a 1,340km border with Russia and ended decades of military non-alignment by joining Nato in April 2023, just over a year after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Helsinki closed its eastern border with Russia in December 2023, suspecting Moscow of orchestrating the arrival of migrants to destabilise the country. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
