NATO’s Stoltenberg Wraps Up Two-Day Visit to South Korea January 30, 2023
Introduction:
(Eurasia Review) NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg wrapped up a two-day visit to the Republic of Korea on Monday (30 January 2023) with talks with President Yoon Suk Yeol. The two leaders discussed common security challenges and how to strengthen the Alliance’s partnership with Seoul.
The Secretary General and President Yoon agreed on the need to keep pressure on North Korea to abandon its reckless missile and nuclear activities. They also discussed the importance of support for Ukraine’s self-defence, a principle enshrined in the UN Charter. Mr. Stoltenberg praised the Republic of Korea’s principled stance on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, as well as its contributions to NATO’s humanitarian support for Ukraine. Noting that transatlantic and Indo-Pacific security are deeply interconnected, the Secretary General stressed the importance of like-minded democracies standing together to protect the international rules-based order.
Speaking to students at the CHEY Institute for Advanced Studies, Mr. Stoltenberg stressed that “what happens in Europe matters to the Indo-Pacific, and what happens in Asia matters to NATO.” He noted that NATO and the Republic of Korea share common values and concerns and underlined that the Alliance is committed to working with the Republic of Korea and other like-minded partners to promote peace and preserve the international rules-based order.
Meeting with Foreign Minister Park Jin on Sunday (29 January 2023), the Secretary General welcomed the Republic of Korea’s new Mission to NATO, which demonstrates the increased importance of the partnership between NATO and the Republic of Korea. The two leaders discussed Russia’s brutal war against Ukraine and shared concerns over North Korea. Mr. Stoltenberg condemned North Korea’s nuclear programme and reckless ballistic missile tests. “We also know that North Korea is providing military support to the Russian war efforts with rockets and missiles, and this just highlights how we are interconnected,” he said. The Secretary General said he looked forward to deepening cooperation between NATO and the Republic of Korea in areas including cyber defence, technology and arms control and non-proliferation.
Earlier on Sunday, the Secretary General laid a wreath at the Seoul National Cemetery in tribute to the thousands of veterans buried there.
Secretary General In Washington: NATO Allies Are United Like Never Before February 8, 2023
Introduction:
(Eurasia Review) At a joint press conference with Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday (8 February 2023), Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg commended President Biden and the United States for their strong leadership during the most serious security crisis in a generation. “Unwavering American leadership and bipartisan support have ensured that NATO Allies are united like never before,” said Mr Stoltenberg.
The Secretary General underscored that since President Putin launched his illegal war of aggression, NATO Allies have provided unprecedented support for Ukraine, with around $120 billion in military, humanitarian and financial assistance. He said that the United States is playing “an indispensable role”, while Europe and Canada have stepped up as well, contributing over half of the overall assistance, including tanks and advanced air defence systems, welcoming almost 5 million refugees from Ukraine, applying unprecedented sanctions, and decoupling from Russian gas supplies.
“Putin started this war of aggression. And he can end this war today by withdrawing his troops from Ukraine”, said Mr Stoltenberg. He said that “Moscow is preparing for new offensives” and that Allies and partners must continue to provide Ukraine with the weapons it needs to retake territory, and to prevail as a sovereign nation. He added that if Putin wins, it would be a tragedy for Ukraine, “but it would also be dangerous for all of us”, as that would send a clear message to other authoritarian regimes that they can use force to achieve their goals. The Secretary General noted that “Beijing is watching closely and learning lessons that may influence its future decisions.”
The Secretary General and Secretary Blinken also discussed the need to “strengthen our defence and deterrence and further increase defence spending”, as well as the importance of completing Finland and Sweden’s accession to NATO. Mr. Stoltenberg said that all Allies have signed the accession protocols, 28 Allies have ratified the agreement and Finland and Sweden are now being integrated into NATO’s civilian and military structures. He stressed that it is important to conclude their membership process as soon as possible, as “this will strengthen the security of all Allies”.
NATO Leader Visits Austin in Advance of Brussels Meeting by Jim Garamone
February 9, 2023
Introduction:
(DoD news via Eurasia Review) Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg discussed helping Ukraine defend itself from Russia’s brutal invasion, expansion of the NATO alliance and the need for swift support for Turkey in the wake of devastating earthquakes in that country.
The two men met at the Pentagon in advance of next week’s NATO Defense Ministerial Meeting and the upcoming meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group.
Austin and Stoltenberg share a close working relationship, and Austin thanked the secretary general for all he has done to encourage NATO unity in the face of the challenge from Russia.
“Thank you for your outstanding partnership and your bold leadership,” Austin said. “You’ve helped to keep NATO united and strong through the most serious threat to transatlantic security since the end of World War II. You played a key role in helping nations of the world rally to contribute to Ukraine.”
In opening remarks, Austin expressed his “deepest condolences for all those affected by the terrible earthquake.” NATO ally Turkey lost thousands of people when two earthquakes hit in the southeastern part of the country Feb. 6. News reports say that more than 13,000 people are dead from the quake, which affected Turkey and adjacent Syri
Finland's parliament on Wednesday passed legislation allowing the country to eventually become a member of Western military alliance NATO, an official tally showed, while approvals from Turkey and Hungary for the membership were still pending.
In response to Russia's Ukraine invasion Finland last May opted for deep military alignment by applying to join NATO, instead of solely relying on its own armed forces to defend the 1,300-kilometre (800 mile) border it shares with Russia.
President Erdogan says Turkey will start ratifying Finland's NATO application
Source: CNBC
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday approved Finland’s accession to NATO after months of talks, but added that discussions with Sweden will continue.
“We have decided to initiate the ratification of Finland’s accession process to NATO in our parliament,” Erdogan said in Ankara, according to a Reuters translation, as he met his Finnish counterpart Sauli Niinisto. Erdogan added that he hoped the Turkish parliament would endorse Finland’s bid before the country’s May 14 elections.
In May, Finland and Sweden sent applications to join the military alliance. They decided to put an end to their policies of neutrality and military non-alignment in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
But the process to join NATO has not been as smooth as some had expected, particularly with Ankara demanding more security reassurances from Sweden.
NATO considering deployment of up to 300,000 troops on border with Russia
NATO is discussing the need to strengthen the eastern borders with Russia by concentrating equipment and a military contingent of up to 300,000 soldiers, which should prevent Russia from expanding the war beyond Ukraine.
Source: PoliticoDetails: Politico writes that NATO intends to stop Russia if it decides to expand the war beyond Ukraine. Because of this, the Alliance is talking about strengthening its eastern borders and the need to send up to 300,000 troops to the border.
Such actions will require coordination and great efforts from the 30 NATO members to provide soldiers, training facilities, large quantities of weapons, equipment and ammunition.
However, the news outlet emphasizes that coordination may be challenging, as many allies are already concerned about their own insufficient ammunition stocks, which take time and money to replenish.
Swedish lawmakers vote to endorse country joining NATO
Source: ABC News
COPENHAGEN, Denmark -- Swedish lawmakers overwhelmingly voted Wednesday in favor of Sweden joining NATO, signing off on the country's membership along with the required legislation.
The 349-seat parliament authorized Sweden’s accession to NATO in a 269-37 vote, with 43 lawmakers absent. It was the last required domestic hurdle to the country becoming part of the 30-member Western military alliance.
Six of the eight parties represented in parliament were in favor of NATO membership, and the vote that followed a nearly seven-hour debate was seen as a formality.
“Membership in NATO is the best way to safeguard Sweden’s security,” Foreign Minister Tobias Billström said during the deliberations. He called it “a historic event” and “one of the most important security policy decisions ever for our country.”
U.S. RC-135 Surveillance Jet Has Flown Unprecedented Mission Over Finland by Joseph Trevithick
March 23, 2023
Introduction:
(The Drive) U.S. Air Force RC-135V/W Rivet Joint has conducted a sortie inside Finnish airspace for the first time, at least in recent memory, flying opposite the border with Russia. These flights look set to become routine as Finland continues to move through the process of joining NATO, something the country's leadership decided to pursue following the Russian military's all-out invasion of Ukraine last year. Today's sortie highlights how the Finnish ascension to the alliance will allow for expanding already robust efforts to surveil Russia from the air.
Online flight tracking websites caught the RC-135W Rivet Joint aircraft, which has the serial number 62-4131 and was using the callsign Jake 11 at the time, departing RAF Mildenhall in the United Kingdom earlier today. The aircraft then flew east over the English Channel, the Netherlands, Germany, and Poland, before turning north.
The plane then turned north, passing over Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, before crossing the Gulf of Finland and entering Finnish airspace. Once there, it conducted a number of orbits, particularly in the southeastern end of the country facing Russia's Lake Ladoga and the strategic port city of St. Petersburg, before returning to base.
St. Petersburg is home to the headquarters for Russia's Western Military District and elements of the Russian Navy's Baltic Fleet.
With the exception of Finland, all of the other countries that the RC-135W flew over in the course of this sortie are NATO members.
caltrek's comment: Just as an aside, it is interesting to note comparisons between geographic areas and what occupies their respective air space. When I lived in Virgina, I saw all sorts of military craft flying overhead that I rarely if ever saw here in California. Conversely, experimental aircraft being tested and intended for use in an air taxi service can be seen on an almost daily basis in the part of California where I now live. Also frequently spotted are Coast Guard helicopters with their distinctive orange colorization. Air shows also bring in the Blue Angels. One year, one such show even featured a very loud MIG.
Norway watches warily as Russian subs and aircraft step up Arctic patrols
Source: NBC news
ABOARD THE KV SORTLAND — NATO ally Norway has announced that it is boosting the number of naval patrols near vital undersea gas pipelines off its coast, and released a trove of videos exclusively to NBC News illustrating what it sees as a growing Russian threat in the Arctic.
The videos provided by the Royal Norwegian Air Force capture the high-stakes cat-and-mouse game between the two militaries, with Russian attack submarines patrolling near a maze of undersea pipelines carrying vast amounts of natural gas to Europe and telecommunication cables linking Europe and America.
According to the head of the Royal Norwegian Navy, the videos indicate that Russian attack submarines and planes have expanded their presence in the High North, operating near Norway’s natural gas pipelines that represent a vital energy lifeline for Europe.
“We’ve seen increased military activity around Norway in the High North, in the North Atlantic. We have seen Russian submarines operating differently than they did 10 years ago,” Rear Adm. Rune Andersen said last week from the bridge of the Norwegian refueling ship Maud at the Haakonsvern Naval Base in the city of Bergen.
Secretary General Thanks Norway for Key Contributions to NATO Security March 25, 2023
Entire article (less photograph):
(Eurasia Review) On Friday (24 March 2023) Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre to NATO Headquarters. They discussed NATO’s role in the protection of undersea critical infrastructure, which is vital for the security of Allies.
Last week, the two men visited the Troll A natural gas platform, off the coast of Norway, together with the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen. Mr Stoltenberg stressed that NATO is stepping up work on securing critical infrastructure, with increased military presence, greater situational awareness, and enhanced cooperation with international partners and the private sector.
Mr Stoltenberg thanked Prime Minister Gahr Støre for Norway’s leading role in helping the Alliance to understand and address challenges in the High North, including by hosting NATO exercises like the recently concluded Joint Viking, the largest military winter drill in Arctic Europe in 2023. He also thanked Norway for other contributions to NATO, including serving in the multinational battlegroup in Lithuania. He welcomed Norway’s significant aid to Ukraine and stressed the need to continue sustaining assistance for Ukraine, as it resists Russia’s illegal war.
The two leaders also addressed the accession of Finland and Sweden. Mr Stoltenberg said, “I welcome that Türkiye and Hungary are ready to ratify Finland’s membership of NATO – and I hope that both will do so swiftly” He stressed that, “for me, it is a top priority to make sure that Sweden’s accession is also ratified as soon as possible,” because their accession will make NATO stronger and demonstrate that NATO’s door remains open.
I actually hate these gee-whiz here is the latest in technology and in the spread of military technology type articles. Unfortunately, in today's world they do have their place. Perhaps, one day we can safely return to "studying war no more."
Common Rifles Firing Same Ammo to Arm Finnish and Swedish Forces by Thomas Newdick
March 27, 2023
Introduction:
(The Drive) Finland and Sweden are teaming up to jointly acquire a new range of infantry and sniper rifles for their respective armed forces, providing a significant degree of commonality as they both move closer to joining NATO. The decision, announced today, is also the latest step in a deepening military relationship between the two Nordic states, which last week — together with Denmark and Norway — also unveiled plans for a unified air defense alliance, to better cope with the Russian threat, a move you can read more about here.
Under a framework agreement signed today by representatives of the two defense ministries, the Finnish and Swedish Defense Forces will jointly acquire new guns produced by the Finnish arms manufacturer SAKO, located at Riihimäki in the south of that country, and established back in 1921.
Turkey approves Finland's bid to join NATO
Source: DW
Turkey's parliament ratified Finland's application to join NATO on Thursday.
In doing so, it became the final of 30 NATO member states to support Finland's accession, clearing the last major hurdle for the country to join the military alliance.
Ratification was all but certain after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan ended months of negotiations and blessed Finland's candidacy earlier this month.
Finland has a 1,300-kilometer (800-mile) border with Russia and is only a few technical steps away from becoming the 31st member of the alliance.
Greenland Gets First NATO Envoy Amid Rising Tensions in Arctic Mie Olsen
March 31, 2023
Introduction:
NUUK, Greenland (Courthouse News) — The government of Greenland and the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced this month that they will for the first time send a diplomat from Greenland to join Denmark's permanent representation on the North Atlantic Council, the Brussels-based political decision-making wing of NATO.
Because the Arctic island is a self-governing part of Denmark, Greenland has never before had its own NATO representative who can provide expert knowledge on Arctic conditions and security interests in the region.
But in May, experienced foreign affairs diplomat and lawyer Lida Skifte Lennert of Nuuk will join the political and military alliance.
“I am happy that the road was paved for me to contribute with knowledge about Arctic conditions and Greenland's society," she said in an interview with Courthouse News. "The government of Greenland has been increasingly involved in foreign security and defense questions, and part of my task is to network and show the full diversity that we have in the Kingdom of Denmark."
Lennert emphasized that even though she represents Greenland, her job is to look after the kingdom's overall interests in full coordination with her 43 Danish colleagues, adding that the foreign policy collaboration between Denmark and its two self-governing territories – Greenland the Faroe Islands – has grown stronger.
Finland to join NATO Tuesday, military alliance chief says
Source: AP
10 minutes ago
BRUSSELS (AP) — NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Monday Finland will become the 31st member of the world’s biggest military alliance on Tuesday, and that he hopes its neighbor Sweden can join in coming months.
“This is a historic week,” Stoltenberg told reporters on the eve of a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels. “From tomorrow, Finland will be a full member of the alliance.”
The former Norwegian prime minister said that on Tuesday afternoon, “we will raise the Finnish flag for the first time here at the NATO headquarters. It will be a good day for Finland’s security, for Nordic security, and for NATO as a whole.”
Stoltenberg said that Turkey, the last country to have ratified Finland’s membership, will hand its official texts to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday. Stoltenberg said he would then invite Finland to do the same.
Relief, But Some Mixed Feelings, as Finland Joins NATO by Jari Tanner and Kostya Manekov
April 4, 2023
Introduction:
HELSINKI (AP via Courthouse News) — The selling points of the charming bed-and-breakfast are its century-old buildings, its spacious rooms and its proximity to Russia, a short cross-country ski trip to the east.
For Russians, it was place to stay when they came to buy dairy goods and dish soap in the closest part of the European Union, which became a part of NATO on Tuesday. For Finns with roots in the Karelia region, which covers parts of both Finland and Russia, they could go across the border to buy cheap gas and car parts and visit sites of the clashes between Finnish forces and the Soviet Red Army during World War II.
The harmony of the Kuuksenkaari bed-and-breakfast was briefly interrupted Tuesday morning when owners Eija Hiltunen and Eero Tuomisto argued, peacefully and quietly, about the necessity of Finland joining NATO, the Finnish flag lifted alongside 30 others in Brussels.
For Eija Hiltunen, who moved to the northern Karelia region with her husband more than a decade ago, Finland becoming part of the world’s biggest security alliance was an unnecessary provocation.
“For the past fifteen, twenty years now, things have been quiet here on the border. It has been easy to cross the border and there has been plenty of cross-border activity,” said Hiltunen.
NATO member Finland breaks ground on Russia border fence
Source: AP
By KOSTYA MANENKOV and SERGEI GRITS today
IMATRA, Finland (AP) — The construction of barbed-wired fence along Finland’s long border with Russia - primarily meant to curb illegal migration - has broken ground near the southeastern town of Imatra less than two weeks after the Nordic country joined NATO as the 31st member of the military alliance.
The Finnish Border Guard on Friday showcased the building of the initial three kilometer (1.8 mile) stretch of the fence to be erected in Pelkola near a crossing point off Imatra, a quiet lakeside town of some 25,000 people.
Finland’s 1,340 kilometer (832 mile) border with Russia is the longest of any European Union member.
Construction of the border fence is an initiative by the border guard that was approved by Prime Minister Sanna Marin’s government amid wide political support last year. The main purpose of the three-meter (10-foot) high steel fence with a barbed-wire extension on top is to prevent illegal immigration from Russia and give reaction time to authorities, Finnish border officials say.
All Nato members have agreed Ukraine will eventually join, says Stoltenberg
Source: The Guardian
The Nato secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg, has said all member countries have agreed that Ukraine will eventually join the transatlantic military alliance once the war is over, ahead of a meeting of western defence ministers discussing further military aid for Kyiv.
Further announcements on weapons and support are expected after the summit at the Ramstein airbase in Germany, but Stoltenberg also sounded notably upbeat about Ukraine’s longer-term prospects for joining Nato.
“All Nato allies have agreed that Ukraine will become a member,” he said. “President Zelenskiy has a very clear expectation, we discussed this.
“Both the issue of membership but also security guarantees, and of course Ukraine needs security. Because no one can tell when and how this war ends. But what we do know is that when the war ends, we need to ensure that history doesn’t repeat itself.”
Russian ‘Ghost Ships’ Alarm NATO Countries That are Concerned with the Threat to the Expansion of North Sea Wind Farms by Lasse Sørensen
May 26, 2023
Extract:
(Courthouse News) Nordic broadcasters DR, SVT, NRK and Yle recently reported that Russian spy ships are sailing around Scandinavian waters, including the North Sea, undetected. The vessels are mapping offshore windfarms, gas pipes and electrical cables in preparation for possible sabotage should a direct conflict with NATO occur, experts and intelligence sources told Nordic media. At least 50 Russian ships within the past 10 years had suspicious route patterns, experts said.
For example, a Russian Ministry of Defense vessel named Admiral Vladimirsky meant for marine research has systemically sailed and stopped near standing or emerging offshore windfarms to map the maritime infrastructure last November, a military expert told DR. Its route included stops and zigzagging among windfarms outside the U.K. coast for over a week before moving back to Russia via the Danish territory of the North Sea.
Admiral Vladimirsky’s automatic identification system, or AIS, signal – a system used to share a ship’s location and course – has reportedly been switched off during the voyage, turning it into a so-called "ghost ship." Nordic media was able to track its whereabouts by monitoring Admiral Vladimirsky’s radio communication with Russian fleet bases on land. When reporters from DR approached the ship outside the coast of Denmark, a uniformed masked man armed with a Russian military rifle stepped out a deck, sending the Danish team fleeing.
The reports on Russian ghost ships mapping European maritime infrastructure send a critical signal for European leaders to optimize security around energy projects such as the one at the North Sea.
While the protection of critical infrastructure is usually considered a national matter, there was a mutual understanding among participants of the Ostend Declaration that international cooperation in the sea needs strengthening, according to Danish broadcaster TV2.
NATO Begins Largest Air Force Drills in Its History
Source: Foreign Policy
After six years of careful planning, NATO officially launched its 2023 Air Defender military exercise in Germany on Monday; 23 NATO countries—including newest member Finland—will participate, as will nonmember Sweden, whose bid to join the alliance has been stalled by Turkey and Hungary. Japan, which last month began talks to establish the bloc’s first liaison base in Asia to counter China, is also participating as an observer.
The 12-day training includes more than 250 aircraft and 10,000 personnel, making it the largest air deployment exercise in the bloc’s history. Officers will test how well aircraft from various nations communicate with one another as well as the effectiveness of cargo and fuel flight crews, both of which are used extensively by Ukrainian troops in Kyiv’s war against Russia. According to German Air Force Lt. Gen. Ingo Gerhartz, who is overseeing the exercise, Air Defender will also include an “evacuation from an airfield”—a direct response to the United States’ chaotic evacuation at Kabul’s Hamid Karzai International Airport in August 2021.
Most importantly, though, Air Defender’s primary purpose is to demonstrate NATO unity in the face of Russian aggression, Gerhartz told reporters in Berlin. According to the German general, this was his principal objective in proposing the exercise in 2018. “The trigger for me back then was the capture, the annexation of Crimea,” he said. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine last year, Gerhartz said, NATO members on the alliance’s eastern flank closest to Russia want reassurance that they will be defended should the Kremlin turns its sights on them.
