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Europe Decoded

Why does Turkey want to block Finland and Sweden from NATO?

NATO envoys failed to reach a consensus on Wednesday on whether to start membership talks with Finland and Sweden, as Turkey renewed its objections.

My Europe Series

'Everything has changed': Inside Finland's bold bid to join NATO

Finland's accession to NATO will bring in a 1,300-kilometre border with Russia, further encircling Saint Petersburg.

Sweden

Sweden's ruling party joins Finland in confirming NATO membership bid

Sweden's ruling Social Democratic Party has given the green light to a NATO bid, hours after Finland's president and prime minister confirmed their country's application.

Europe News

Sweden joining NATO would 'deter the threat of military conflict'

A formal decision on whether Sweden will join NATO is expected in the coming days.

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Culture news

Eurovision versus Intervision: the Cold War song contest

Meet the last winner of the Intervision Song Contest, the Eastern Bloc rival to Eurovision which ran from 1977 to 1980.

Europe News

Finland wants to join NATO. But how does a new member sign up?

The process to join the alliance relies heavily on the political appetite of member states.

Finland

'Finland must apply to join NATO without delay,' say country's leaders

The war in Ukraine has sparked debates in Finland and Sweden over whether they should join the NATO military alliance.

Destinations

This Swedish holiday island could be on the verge of Russian invasion

A paradise island of sandy beaches and sculptural sea stacks could become the new frontline against Russia.

Europe News

UK PM Johnson visits Finland and Sweden ahead of NATO decision

Both countries are considering joining the security alliance in order to benefit from its collective defence protection.

Europe News

To join or not to join? Sweden and Finland to reveal NATO decisions

Vladimir Putin cited NATO expansion as a reason for the Ukraine war. But the invasion could spark more countries to join.

Europe Decoded

False claims spread about military movements in Poland and Finland

Social media users have spread misinformation that Polish and Finnish armies are preparing to engage in conflict.

No Comment

Greenpeace activists hang anti-war banner on Finnish power firm's HQ

Fortum's subsidiary, German-based Uniper, is one of the biggest importers of Russian gas to Europe. Eight activists hung the colourful banner emblazoned with a peace symbol, the Greenpeace logo and the phrase: "Stop fuelling war!" in Espoo, Finland.

Europe News

NATO chief says Finland and Sweden could join 'quickly'

Polls have found that a majority of Swedes and Finns are currently in favour of joining the military alliance, with Russia's invasion of Ukraine driving public support.

Money

Finland is selling its €75 million Bitcoin stash to support Ukraine

The Bitcoin will be auctioned off, with "tens of millions" in proceeds going to Ukraine.

Mobility

Are e-scooters more dangerous than cycling or motorbikes?

Rental scooters hospitalised over 330 people in a Finnish city over two years, injuring relatively more riders than cars or motorbikes.

Russia

Russia threatens military build up if Finland or Sweden join NATO

Medvedev said Russia would deploy "significant naval forces" in the Gulf of Finland if the country joined NATO.

Finland

Finland to make NATO membership decision in 'weeks rather than months'

Finland's Prime Minister Sanna Marin said Russia's invasion of Ukraine had "changed everything".

Finland

Finnish 'loopholes' allow imports of Russian coal and oil to continue

Activists and politicians have raised the issue of state-owned companies still involved in bringing raw materials from Russia into Finland.

Finland

Finnish government websites hit by cyberattack during Zelenskyy speech

The official websites of the Finnish foreign and defence ministries were both down for several minutes on Friday.

Finland

Activists block ship trying to unload Russian coal in Helsinki

Helsinki's energy company says they needed to take delivery of the coal from Russia because it was already agreed in a contract - despite earlier pledges to the contrary.