Nordic nations agree on defence cooperation against Russia

The defence ministers of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden wrote a joint statement, published on 9 April 2015, in which they called Russia the biggest challenge to European security.

The Nordic countries also agreed on closer defence ties and increased solidarity with the Baltic states, aiming to increase regional security through deterrence.

The statement comes amid heightened tensions in Europe since Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014. With large Russian minorities living in the Baltics, concerns grew in the region about the risk of Russian intervention.

Finland, which borders Russia, and Sweden, are not members of NATO but increased cooperation with the trans-Atlantic alliance since then, and the joint declaration was seen as among their strongest responses to Russia's attitude.

The Local.se, 10.04.15: Nordic ministers respond to Russian 'aggression' http://www.thelocal.se/20150410/defence-ministers-respond-to-russian-aggression

The Moscow Times, 10.04.15: Nordic Nations Agree: Russia Is Europe's Biggest Threat http://www.themoscowtimes.com/business/article/nordic-nations-agree-russia-is-europes-biggest-threat/518907.html

Newsweek, 09.04.15: Nordic Nations Agree on Closer Defense Cooperation Against Russia http://www.newsweek.com/nordic-nations-agree-closer-defense-cooperation-against-russia-321266

Sputnik International, 10.04.15: Countries of N Europe Expand Military Cooperation Citing 'Russian Threat' http://sputniknews.com/politics/20150410/1020696753.html

ESO: Background information: Sweden suspects Russian submarine got stranded in its waters http://www.europeansources.info/record/sweden-suspects-russian-submarine-got-stranded-in-its-waters/

ESO: Background information: NATO, Swedish fighters scrambled to intercept Russian plane http://www.europeansources.info/record/nato-swedish-fighters-scrambled-to-intercept-russian-plane/

EUObserver, 13.04.15: Nordic pact heightens tension with Russia https://euobserver.com/foreign/128297

EurActiv, 13.04.15: Russia concerned by Finland and Sweden’s NATO rapprochement http://www.euractiv.com/sections/global-europe/russia-concerned-finland-and-swedens-nato-rapprochement-313709

Postimees, 13.04.15: Baltic states need Nordic allies against Putin (via Euro|Topics) http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/archiv/aehnliche/archiv_article/ARTICLE161376-Baltic-states-need-Nordic-allies-against-Putin

The Guardian, 10.04.15: Nordic countries extend military alliance in face of Russian aggression http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/apr/10/nordic-countries-extend-military-alliance-russian-aggression

Sweden: Government: Policy Areas: Defence, emergency management and safety: Nordic Cooperation: Nordic Defence Cooperation (NORDEFCO) http://www.government.se/sb/d/17967

Website: Nordic Defence Cooperation (NORDEFCO) http://www.nordefco.org/

Aftenpostern, 09.04.15: Russian aggression: Nordic states extend their military cooperation http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/uriks/Russian-aggression-Nordic-states-extend-their-military-cooperation-7975109.html

Deutsche Welle, 17.04.15: Finland’s cautious relationship with NATO http://dw.de/p/1FAGD

---