Finland's Prime Minister Sanna Marin is in favour of her country joining Nato. AP
Finland's Prime Minister Sanna Marin is in favour of her country joining Nato. AP
Finland's Prime Minister Sanna Marin is in favour of her country joining Nato. AP
Finland's Prime Minister Sanna Marin is in favour of her country joining Nato. AP

Finland's leaders support Nato membership bid


Tim Stickings
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Live updates: follow the latest news on Russia-Ukraine

Finland should apply to join Nato, the Nordic country's president and prime minister said on Thursday in a major policy shift triggered by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Head of state Sauli Niinisto and Prime Minister Sanna Marin called on politicians to approve a membership bid within days so that Finland can join the alliance "without delay".

"Nato membership would strengthen Finland's security," they said in a historic joint statement issued early on Thursday, and "as a member of Nato, Finland would strengthen the entire defence alliance."

Moscow reacted by saying the expansion of the alliance was "definitely” a threat to its security.

Russia's Foreign Ministry said it would need to take "retaliatory steps, both of a military-technical and other nature, in order to stop threats to its national security arising".

"Helsinki must be aware of the responsibility and consequences of such a move," it said.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: "The expansion of Nato and the approach of the alliance to our borders does not make the world and our continent more stable and secure.”

Nato leaders are expected to give swift approval to any membership bid. Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Finland would be "warmly welcomed" as the alliance's 31st member and that the accession process would be "smooth and swift".

But Russia denounced a move which would double the length of its border with Nato. A Foreign Ministry statement said Moscow would be "forced to take retaliatory steps, both of a military-technical and other nature, in order to stop threats to its national security arising" from Finland's accession.

Finland, which shares a 1,300-kilometre land border with Russia, has previously preferred to stay out of Nato and seek cordial relations with its large eastern neighbour after two 20th-century wars. Ms Marin said in January that it was "very unlikely" the country would seek Nato membership on her watch.

But the war unleashed by Russia in February has prompted a rethink from Finland and its neighbour Sweden, where politicians are also expected to decide soon on whether to join the alliance.

  • Russian Navy logistics support ship the 'Vsevolod Bobrov', pictured off Istanbul in January, has reportedly caught fire after a Ukrainian airstrike in the Black Sea. Reuters
    Russian Navy logistics support ship the 'Vsevolod Bobrov', pictured off Istanbul in January, has reportedly caught fire after a Ukrainian airstrike in the Black Sea. Reuters
  • A mother and child who fled Ukraine arrive back in Kyiv from Poland. The daily number returning has exceeded those leaving for the first time since the February invasion. AFP
    A mother and child who fled Ukraine arrive back in Kyiv from Poland. The daily number returning has exceeded those leaving for the first time since the February invasion. AFP
  • A Ukrainian tank - with a soldier in it - is carried by a transporter near Bakhmut. AFP
    A Ukrainian tank - with a soldier in it - is carried by a transporter near Bakhmut. AFP
  • A metro station used as a bomb shelter in Kharkiv, Ukraine. AFP
    A metro station used as a bomb shelter in Kharkiv, Ukraine. AFP
  • Rocket trails in the sky over Pylypchatyne, eastern Ukraine. AFP
    Rocket trails in the sky over Pylypchatyne, eastern Ukraine. AFP
  • A special session of the UN Human Rights Council on Ukraine is held in Geneva, Switzerland. AFP
    A special session of the UN Human Rights Council on Ukraine is held in Geneva, Switzerland. AFP
  • Burnt vehicles and the remains of what appears to be a makeshift bridge across the Siverskyi Donets River in eastern Ukraine. Reuters
    Burnt vehicles and the remains of what appears to be a makeshift bridge across the Siverskyi Donets River in eastern Ukraine. Reuters
  • Protesters outside a special session of the UN Human Rights Council on the war in Ukraine, in Geneva. Inside, Ukrainians lambasted the 'sheer horror' and 'pure evil' being inflicted on their country by Russian forces. AFP
    Protesters outside a special session of the UN Human Rights Council on the war in Ukraine, in Geneva. Inside, Ukrainians lambasted the 'sheer horror' and 'pure evil' being inflicted on their country by Russian forces. AFP
  • Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting on economic issues via a video link in Moscow. AFP
    Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting on economic issues via a video link in Moscow. AFP
  • An explosion at the Azovstal steel works in Mariupol, Ukraine. Reuters
    An explosion at the Azovstal steel works in Mariupol, Ukraine. Reuters
  • Players walk onto the pitch before a benefit football match between Borussia Moenchengladbach and the national team of Ukraine at Borussia-Park in Moenchengladbach, Germany. EPA
    Players walk onto the pitch before a benefit football match between Borussia Moenchengladbach and the national team of Ukraine at Borussia-Park in Moenchengladbach, Germany. EPA
  • Russian service members atop an armoured vehicle in Mariupol. Reuters
    Russian service members atop an armoured vehicle in Mariupol. Reuters
  • The Kalush Orchestra from Ukraine perform at the Eurovision Village in Turin, Italy. AP Photo
    The Kalush Orchestra from Ukraine perform at the Eurovision Village in Turin, Italy. AP Photo
  • Borussia Moenchengladbach fans and Ukraine supporters stand united ahead of the benefit football match between Borussia Moenchengladbach and the national team of Ukraine. EPA
    Borussia Moenchengladbach fans and Ukraine supporters stand united ahead of the benefit football match between Borussia Moenchengladbach and the national team of Ukraine. EPA
  • Children gather at a playground in Mariupol. Reuters
    Children gather at a playground in Mariupol. Reuters
  • Three Ukrainian policemen stand at an explosion site in Novomykolaivka, eastern Ukraine. AFP
    Three Ukrainian policemen stand at an explosion site in Novomykolaivka, eastern Ukraine. AFP
  • The Iron Spear 2022 military exercise led by Nato-enhanced Forward Presence battlegroup in Adazi, Latvia, on May 11. Reuters / Ints Kalnins
    The Iron Spear 2022 military exercise led by Nato-enhanced Forward Presence battlegroup in Adazi, Latvia, on May 11. Reuters / Ints Kalnins
  • British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Finnish President Sauli Niinisto shake hands in Helsinki, Finland, after signing a declaration between the UK and Finland to deepen their defence and security co-operation. Reuters
    British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Finnish President Sauli Niinisto shake hands in Helsinki, Finland, after signing a declaration between the UK and Finland to deepen their defence and security co-operation. Reuters
  • Russian paratroopers go on the attack in Ukraine's Kharkiv region. EPA
    Russian paratroopers go on the attack in Ukraine's Kharkiv region. EPA

Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto, speaking to European Union lawmakers on Thursday, said his country was concerned by Russia's unpredictable behaviour and its readiness to wage "high-risk operations" that could lead to many casualties.

Polls in both countries show growing support for joining Nato as countries on Europe's northern and eastern flank bolster their security to face up to a newly hostile Russia. Preparations are being made in Finland for people to shelter in bunkers in the event of a nuclear attack.

Finland's parliament, where more than two in three lawmakers support the application, is preparing to debate the issue on Monday.

Soldiers from the Finnish armed forces operate a field gun during military exercises with Nato troops. AFP
Soldiers from the Finnish armed forces operate a field gun during military exercises with Nato troops. AFP

Moscow's threats of retaliation had prompted warnings from security chiefs about potential Russian efforts to meddle in their political debates. But leading politicians including Mr Niinisto say Russia has only itself to blame for motivating nearby countries to join Nato.

"You caused this. Look at the mirror,” Mr Niinisto told Russia on Wednesday.

The Kremlin views Nato expansion as a prime security grievance and its demands to keep Ukraine out of the alliance were central to the stand-off that culminated in the invasion.

A Finnish security review last month said moving under the umbrella of Nato’s Article 5 guarantee — in which all allies promise to defend each other from attack — would be a more effective deterrent against Russian aggression.

  • British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, left, and Finland's President Sauli Niinisto signed a security agreement at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki. AP Photo
    British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, left, and Finland's President Sauli Niinisto signed a security agreement at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki. AP Photo
  • Mr Johnson and Mr Niinisto arrive for talks at the palace. AFP
    Mr Johnson and Mr Niinisto arrive for talks at the palace. AFP
  • The leaders sign the security declaration between Finland and the UK. EPA
    The leaders sign the security declaration between Finland and the UK. EPA
  • Mr Johnson steps off the plane in Helsinki. PA
    Mr Johnson steps off the plane in Helsinki. PA
  • Earlier, he was greeted by Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson. AFP
    Earlier, he was greeted by Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson. AFP
  • Mr Johnson listens to Ms Andersson during the talks in Harpsund, the Swedish prime minister's country retreat. AP Photo
    Mr Johnson listens to Ms Andersson during the talks in Harpsund, the Swedish prime minister's country retreat. AP Photo
  • Flanked by their countries' flags, they sign a declaration of political solidarity. EPA
    Flanked by their countries' flags, they sign a declaration of political solidarity. EPA
  • Mr Johnson and Ms Andersson take a walk around the gardens in Harpsund. AFP
    Mr Johnson and Ms Andersson take a walk around the gardens in Harpsund. AFP
  • They then went for a row on a lake. Photo: 10 Downing Street
    They then went for a row on a lake. Photo: 10 Downing Street
  • The Harpsund country rereat. AFP
    The Harpsund country rereat. AFP

The joint statement said Ms Marin and Mr Niinisto had sought to "give the discussion the space it required" by consulting with Nato, Sweden, partner countries and parliamentary groups.

“Now that the moment of decision-making is near, we state our equal views... Finland must apply for Nato membership without delay," they said. They added: "We hope that the national steps still needed to make this decision will be taken rapidly within the next few days.”

A membership application will have to be approved by all 30 existing allies, but Mr Stoltenberg and many member states including Britain and the US have expressed support for admitting Finland.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz welcomed the announcement and said he had told Mr Niinisto in a phone call that Europe's biggest economy would support Finland's application.

Finland and Sweden already co-operate closely with Nato and took part in recent drills in Europe's high north called Cold Response 2022. Diplomats from the two countries have attended numerous Nato meetings since the war in Ukraine broke out.

Who is Tim-Berners Lee?

Sir Tim Berners-Lee was born in London in a household of mathematicians and computer scientists. Both his mother, Mary Lee, and father, Conway, were early computer scientists who worked on the Ferranti 1 - the world's first commercially-available, general purpose digital computer. Sir Tim studied Physics at the University of Oxford and held a series of roles developing code and building software before moving to Switzerland to work for Cern, the European Particle Physics laboratory. He developed the worldwide web code as a side project in 1989 as a global information-sharing system. After releasing the first web code in 1991, Cern made it open and free for all to use. Sir Tim now campaigns for initiatives to make sure the web remains open and accessible to all.

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2. Limit the number of products you borrow on: the more loans and credit cards you have, the more it will affect your credit score;

3. Don't max out all your debts: how much you maximise those credit facilities will have an impact. If you have five credit cards and utilise 90 per cent of that credit, it will negatively affect your score.

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Director: Christian Schwochow

Starring: George MacKay, Jannis Niewohner, Jeremy Irons

Rating: 3/5

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RESULT

Brazil 2 Croatia 0
Brazil: 
Neymar (69'), Firmino (90' 3)    

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

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IF YOU GO

The flights

FlyDubai flies direct from Dubai to Skopje in five hours from Dh1,314 return including taxes. Hourly buses from Skopje to Ohrid take three hours.

The tours

English-speaking guided tours of Ohrid town and the surrounding area are organised by Cultura 365; these cost €90 (Dh386) for a one-day trip including driver and guide and €100 a day (Dh429) for two people. 

The hotels

Villa St Sofija in the old town of Ohrid, twin room from $54 (Dh198) a night.

St Naum Monastery, on the lake 30km south of Ohrid town, has updated its pilgrims' quarters into a modern 3-star hotel, with rooms overlooking the monastery courtyard and lake. Double room from $60 (Dh 220) a night.

 

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Key figures in the life of the fort

Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.

Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.

Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.

Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.

Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae

Ovo's tips to find extra heat
  • Open your curtains when it’s sunny 
  • Keep your oven open after cooking  
  • Have a cuddle with pets and loved ones to help stay cosy 
  • Eat ginger but avoid chilli as it makes you sweat 
  • Put on extra layers  
  • Do a few star jumps  
  • Avoid alcohol   
The currency conundrum

Russ Mould, investment director at online trading platform AJ Bell, says almost every major currency has challenges right now. “The US has a huge budget deficit, the euro faces political friction and poor growth, sterling is bogged down by Brexit, China’s renminbi is hit by debt fears while slowing Chinese growth is hurting commodity exporters like Australia and Canada.”

Most countries now actively want a weak currency to make their exports more competitive. “China seems happy to let the renminbi drift lower, the Swiss are still running quantitative easing at full tilt and central bankers everywhere are actively talking down their currencies or offering only limited support," says Mr Mould.

This is a race to the bottom, and everybody wants to be a winner.

At Everton Appearances: 77; Goals: 17

At Manchester United Appearances: 559; Goals: 253

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
ETFs explained

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There are thousands to choose from, with the five biggest providers BlackRock’s iShares range, Vanguard, State Street Global Advisors SPDR ETFs, Deutsche Bank AWM X-trackers and Invesco PowerShares.

AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street

The seven points are:

Shakhbout bin Sultan Street

Dhafeer Street

Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)

Salama bint Butti Street

Al Dhafra Street

Rabdan Street

Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)

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6.30pm Meydan Classic Trial US$100,000 (Turf) 1,400m

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7.05pm Handicap $135,000 (T) 1,400m

Winner Woven, Harry Bentley, David Simcock.

7.40pm UAE 2000 Guineas Group Three $250,000 (Dirt) 1,600m

Winner Fore Left, William Buick, Doug O’Neill.

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Winner Rusumaat, Dane O’Neill, Musabah Al Muhairi.

8.50pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 Group Two $450,000 (D) 1,900m

Winner Benbatl, Christophe Soumillon, Saeed bin Suroor.

9.25pm Handicap $135,000 (T) 1,800m

Winner Art Du Val, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.

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Winner Beyond Reason, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.

Avatar: Fire and Ash

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Rating: 4.5/5

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TOURNAMENT INFO

Fixtures
Sunday January 5 - Oman v UAE
Monday January 6 - UAE v Namibia
Wednesday January 8 - Oman v Namibia
Thursday January 9 - Oman v UAE
Saturday January 11 - UAE v Namibia
Sunday January 12 – Oman v Namibia

UAE squad
Ahmed Raza (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Mohammed Usman, CP Rizwan, Waheed Ahmed, Zawar Farid, Darius D’Silva, Karthik Meiyappan, Jonathan Figy, Vriitya Aravind, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Basil Hameed, Chirag Suri

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'Brazen'

Director: Monika Mitchell

Starring: Alyssa Milano, Sam Page, Colleen Wheeler

Rating: 3/5

Updated: May 13, 2022, 6:36 AM