Many Finnish MPs open to higher defense spending
A majority of MPs who responded to an Yle survey asking whether Finland should raise defence spending to three percent of gross domestic product (GDP) were in favour of the idea. The debate on whether Nato countries should invest more in their defence has intensified this autumn as the warContinue Reading
Rules for Ukrainian children going to Latvian schools stuck in debate
In the summer, the government decided that starting the next school year, children – war refugees from Ukraine – will have to study in Latvian schools in person. The Saeima’s support is needed for this requirement to come into force. However, the idea is currently stuck in the Saeima, Latvian Radio reportedContinue Reading
Estonia’s Ukrainian kindergarten on European Council’s 2025 flagship project list
“Rebuilding future and hope: modernizing preschool education in Ukraine,” a project designed and managed by the Estonian Center for International Development (ESTDEV), has been added to the European Council’s 2025 flagship project list. The project, which involved building a kindergarten in Ovruch, Ukraine and facilitating capacity building for teachers andContinue Reading
Poland sends Leopard II tanks to Latvia
On November 28, 2024, the NATO multinational brigade in Latvia welcomed the arrival of new Polish Leopard 2PL tanks to replace the current Polish squadron’s PT-91 tanks. The new tanks arrived in Garkalne from Poland by rail, then they were transferred on trailers the short distance to the Ādaži military base, saidContinue Reading
Norway suspends deep-sea mining projects: govt allies
Norway has suspended plans to start giving licences for deep-sea mining next year that had faced opposition from environment groups and international institutions, a party allied with the centre-left government said on Sunday. Norway, Western Europe’s biggest oil and gas producer, had planned to become one of the world’s firstContinue Reading
EDF Lt Col: Ukraine’s defenses hold despite heavy Russian pressure
Ukraine’s defenses are holding up despite strong Russian pressure, said Lt. Col. Toomas Väli, deputy commander of the Estonian Defense Forces (EDF) General Staff. The last week, he said, was characterized by “bandit” attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. “For 1,010 days Ukraine has stood up to Russian aggression, and [Ukraine’s]Continue Reading
Finns Party defends MPs joining 612-march
Finns Party leader Riikka Purra has defended the decision of two Finns Party MPs to participate in the 612 torchlight procession on Independence Day rather than attending the annual Presidential Palace gala. Addressing the matter in a statement on Sunday, she described the 612-march as a nationalist event highlighting patrioticContinue Reading
NATO allies conducting low-altitude flights in north Estonia next week
Allied Air Forces will hold training flights in Estonian airspace with fighter jets and transport aircraft as part of Exercise Pikne (lightning) from December 2-8. The flights will primarily take place in Northeastern Estonia between 8 a.m. and 5 pm. It is possible that during the exercise aircraft may flyContinue Reading
Denmark extends work and residence permits for Ukrainian refugees until 2026
A convincing majority in the Danish parliament on Tuesday voted to extend the country’s special law for Ukrainian refugees until March 2026. Denmark has prolonged its special law for Ukrainians who fled their country following Russia’s invasion in February 2022 in a vote in parliament on Tuesday, newswire Ritzau reported.Continue Reading
Nordic-Baltic states promise more support for Ukraine “in coming months”
The heads of government of Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Norway, Poland, Sweden and Finland have committed to increasing support for Ukraine following a summit at the residence of Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson in Harpsund on Wednesday, 27 November. Details: The seven Nordic-Baltic states declared their readiness to take responsibility forContinue Reading