Contents tagged with NATO

  • Zelensky discusses Ukraine's security path: NATO membership or nuclear rearmament

    During a candid conversation with former U.S. President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized the urgency of Ukraine joining NATO, highlighting Kyiv's renouncement of nuclear arms. This pivotal dialogue was unveiled by Zelensky at a press conference on Thursday, October 17, following his participation in the European Council meeting where he outlined Ukraine's Victory Plan.

    Zelensky referenced the Budapest Memorandum, criticizing it as ineffective in securing Ukraine …

  • NATO to hold largest-ever artillery exercise 'Lightning Strike-24' in Finland this November

    NATO will conduct its largest-ever artillery exercise in Finland from November 4 to 28, as reported by Yle.

    The maneuvers, taking place at the Rovajärvi artillery range in Lapland, will involve up to 3,600 soldiers, including approximately 1,250 international troops. The exercises will involve personnel from the Finnish Army, Air Force, Border Guard, and numerous allied nations.

    Participants will include soldiers from the United States, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Estonia, Denmark, the Czech …

  • Eastern NATO allies warn of imminent Russian threat to Poland and Baltic States

    Eastern NATO military leaders are sounding the alarm on the realistic probability of a Russian military aggression against Poland and the Baltic States, underscoring the necessity for immediate retaliatory capability.

    Officials from the eastern flank of NATO assert that Russia might target Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland with its "imperialist expansionism" following the conflict with Ukraine. This concern was expressed by Lithuanian national security advisor Kęstutis Budrys at the …

  • Estonia and Finland plan to close Gulf of Finland to Russian ships

    Tallinn and Helsinki are intensifying their cooperation in maritime defense, focusing on developing specific plans to completely shut off the Baltic Sea to Russian ships if necessary, reports Helsingin Sanomat, citing Estonian Defense Forces Commander Major General Andrus Merilo.

    "Military cooperation between Finland and Estonia is increasingly centered on naval defense, and the goal is to come up with concrete plans on how the neighboring countries can close the Gulf of Finland to Russian …

  • Zelensky calls for immediate international action to prevent prolonged war with Russia

    In a stark warning, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized the critical importance of swift action to prevent the ongoing war with Russia from dragging on for years, or even decades.

    Speaking at the Golden Plate Award ceremony in the United States on September 23, Zelensky highlighted that the upcoming few months are pivotal for Ukraine in the conflict with Russia. He stressed that Ukraine has limited time to achieve significant results on the battlefield and avoid a prolonged war. …

  • Ukraine calls on Romania to intercept incoming Russian drones

    Ukraine has made an urgent request to Romania to intercept and take down any Russian kamikaze drones headed towards its territory. This appeal was made during the recent visit of Ukraine's new Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, to Bucharest.

    According to Agerpres, Sybiha urged Romanian officials to consider the possibility of shooting down Russian drones near their airspace.

    "Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated on Wednesday in Bucharest that he is calling on Romanian partners to …

  • Finland to host two NATO headquarters as Sweden prepares to lead Advanced Land Forces

    Finland is planning to establish two NATO headquarters within its borders, reports Yle, citing tentative plans that have yet to be approved.

    The proposed NATO Land Command HQ for Northern Europe is expected to be situated in the city of Mikkeli, where both Finnish and foreign officers will operate. Additionally, the advanced NATO Land Forces HQ is anticipated to be located in northern Finland, potentially in Sodankylä or Rovaniemi.

    Defense ministers from Sweden and Finland have announced that …

  • New NATO military base launched in Southern Estonia near Russian border

    Television and radio broadcaster ERR has reported the inauguration of a new military base, Reedo, in southern Estonia. The facility, located in the village of Juba near the town of Võru, consists of 14 buildings and can accommodate up to one thousand personnel.

    According to ERR, the base will serve as a "rallying point for preparations in line with NATO's defensive plans." The site is strategically positioned just tens of kilometers from the Russian and Latvian borders, underscoring its …

  • Zelensky pushes for NATO invitation from Biden before 2024 elections in the US

    According to the French publication, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky aims to secure an invitation to NATO before Joe Biden's current term ends. Zelensky, in declaring his victory plan against Russia, envisions Ukraine’s NATO entry before the U.S. presidential elections on November 5, reports Le Monde.

    According to Zelensky, obtaining such an endorsement would position Ukraine to negotiate the war's end with Russia from a place of strength. The Ukrainian leader announced that he has a …

  • Estonia signals readiness to preemptively strike Russia to defend NATO

    During an interview with the Estonian public broadcaster ERR, Estonian General Vahur Karus has stated that Estonia is ready to strike Russian territory if Moscow shows signs of preparing for an attack on NATO.

    "Our capability to neutralize the enemy on its own territory is crucial," General Karus emphasized, pointing to a new strategy where waiting to be attacked first is no longer an option.

    Before the full-scale war in Ukraine, Estonia's strategy was to hold off any Russian aggression for 10 …