The Latest Breaking News from Finland

Finland's parliament votes yes to NATO

Finland's parliament on Tuesday overwhelmingly approved a proposal to apply for membership of the NATO military alliance in a historic policy shift prompted by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Reuters · May 17, 2022

Russia’s Lavrov Says Finland, Sweden Joining NATO Makes ‘No Big Difference’

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday that Finland and Sweden joining NATO would probably make "not much difference" as the two countries had long participated in the alliance's military drills. "Finland and Sweden, as well as other neutral countries, have been participating in NATO military exercises for many…

Asharq Al-Awsat · May 17, 2022

Russia's Lavrov says Finland, Sweden joining NATO makes 'no big difference'

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday that Finland and Sweden joining NATO would probably make "not much difference" as the two countries had long participated in the alliance's military drills.

Reuters · May 17, 2022

Ukraine mounts effort to rescue last fighters at steel mill

Ukrainian officials say the fighters who have doggedly defended a steel plant in the ruined city of Mariupol have completed their mission, and efforts are underway to rescue the last of those defenders who remain inside

The Independent UK · May 17, 2022

Russia says hundreds of Ukrainians surrender at Azovstal as Kyiv urges swap

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the gala opening ceremony of the 75th Cannes Film Festival as a surprise guest by video link from Kyiv, asking for the cinema world's solidarity with his people in the face of the Russian invasion. Follow FRANCE 24’s liveblog for all the latest developments. All…

France 24 · May 17, 2022

Ending weeks of standoff, Russia takes key port but sees setbacks elsewhere

LVIV, Ukraine — After weeks of Russian bombardment, a band of Ukrainian soldiers fighting from a battered Mariupol steel plant ended combat operations on Monday, giving Moscow full control of a strategic port city that has been turned into a ruin of empty buildings and mass graves.

Los Angeles Times · May 17, 2022

Mariupol defenders surrender to Russia but their fate is uncertain

More than 250 Ukrainian fighters surrendered to Russian forces at the Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol after weeks of desperate resistance, bringing an end to the most devastating siege of Russia's war in Ukraine and allowing President Vladimir Putin to claim a rare victory in his faltering campaign.

Reuters · May 17, 2022

UK ‘strongly supports’ Finland and Sweden joining Nato – Truss

Foreign Secretary says the countries should be integrated into the alliance ‘as soon as possible, to ‘strengthen the collective security of Europe’.

The Independent UK · May 16, 2022

Finland and Sweden ‘optimistic’ Turkey will agree Nato application bid

Sauli Niinisto, Finnish president, says Helsinki will have ‘contructive discussions’ with Ankara

The Independent UK · May 16, 2022

Why NATO formed and why Finland and Sweden want to join the alliance

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has put NATO on a path towards further expansion.

Axios · May 16, 2022