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Finland Joins France’s Nuclear Deterrence Initiative to Strengthen European Security

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Finland has joined France’s initiative to expand cooperation with European partners on nuclear deterrence, the leaders of both countries announced on Monday. The move comes amid concerns over the future of US security commitments to Europe and the wider security impact of the war in Ukraine. France launched the Forward Nuclear Deterrence Initiative in March as part of efforts to strengthen Europe’s responsibility for its own defence.

The initiative allows participating countries to engage in joint military exercises, discuss nuclear strategy more closely and potentially host nuclear-capable assets for short periods. However, the decision to use French nuclear weapons remains solely with the French president, unlike NATO’s nuclear framework, which involves a shared Nuclear Planning Group. Finland’s defence minister described joining the initiative as a natural step following other Nordic countries.

Finnish President Alexander Stubb said the programme is aimed at strengthening European security and preventing escalation, while stressing that it does not replace NATO’s nuclear deterrence. Finland also said it does not intend to allow nuclear weapons to be stationed on its territory during peacetime. With Finland’s addition, 10 European countries now participate in the French initiative.

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Google to Invest $15 Billion in Finland for AI and Nuclear Power

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Google will invest at least €13 billion ($15.1 billion) in Finland over the next two years to expand its artificial intelligence infrastructure. The investment will include data centres, electricity grid upgrades, clean energy and battery projects, supporting services such as Gemini, Search, Maps and YouTube.

The technology giant has also signed a 22-year agreement with Finnish utility Fortum to purchase up to 50% of the electricity produced by one of the country’s nuclear power plants. The deal marks Google’s first nuclear energy agreement outside the United States and is intended to provide a reliable source of low-carbon power for its growing data centre operations.

Google said the investment could add about $3.6 billion to Finland’s GDP during the construction phase and support around 7,000 jobs annually once the infrastructure is operational. Finland’s cold climate and access to abundant low-carbon energy are helping attract major technology companies looking for efficient locations for energy-intensive data centres.

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Sweden to Deploy Gripen Jets and Warships to Finland

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Sweden will deploy Gripen fighter jets and a corvette warship to help monitor and protect Finnish territory until at least the end of 2026, Finland’s Defence Forces said on Friday. The deployment comes as security concerns rise along NATO’s northern borders with Russia.

Swedish Defence Minister Pal Jonson said Finland had requested stronger air-defence support because of the deteriorating security situation. Sweden may also provide vessels equipped with drone-fighting capabilities and ground-based anti-drone systems, while its forces could assist Finland in responding to violations of Finnish territory if necessary.

Sweden and Finland, which are both among NATO’s newest members, have close defence ties. Finland shares a 1,340-km border with Russia, while recent drone incidents across the Baltic region have increased concerns about the Ukraine war spilling over into neighbouring NATO countries. Separately, Swedish defence company Saab secured a 1.2 billion crown ($126 million) order from Finland for RBS 70 NG portable air-defence systems.

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New Train Service Reconnects Finland and Sweden After Decades

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A new passenger train service has restored a rail connection between Finland and Sweden for the first time in nearly 40 years. The twice-daily service runs between Finland’s coastal city of Oulu and Haparanda in Sweden, with the inaugural train crossing the Torne River on Monday. The arrival in Haparanda was welcomed by crowds waving Finnish and Swedish flags.

The route was suspended in the late 1980s and early 1990s because of low passenger numbers and differences in railway track widths. Finland uses a wider track gauge, inherited from its history as part of the Russian Empire, while most of Europe uses a narrower standard gauge. The new journey takes around 100 minutes, although passengers heading further into Sweden must change trains at Haparanda.

The restored connection could strengthen rail travel across northern Europe and make longer journeys more accessible. It also opens the possibility of travelling by train for around 5,000km from Portugal’s Algarve region to Finland’s northernmost railway station at Kolari. A rail journey between Helsinki and Stockholm could also now be completed in about 24 hours, highlighting renewed interest in cross-border rail travel.

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Finland Closes Airspace Near Russia Over Drone Risk

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Finland has temporarily closed part of its airspace and restricted maritime traffic along its southern coast near the Russian border due to the risk of stray drones entering the area. The Finnish military said the measures are intended to ensure authorities can respond safely if drones cross into the region and to protect the public.

The move follows several incidents this year in which military drones linked to the Ukraine-Russia conflict reportedly entered the airspace of Finland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. These events have raised concerns that the ongoing war could increasingly affect NATO’s northern borders.

Finnish military officials declined to reveal the source of intelligence regarding the possible drone activity, citing operational security. While Ukraine and NATO have blamed Russian signal jamming for causing some drones to stray into neighbouring countries, Russia has accused Ukraine of deliberately directing drones across international borders.

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Uber Halts Most Europe Food Delivery Expansion Amid Delivery Hero Pursuit

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Uber has paused most of its planned food delivery expansion across Europe, just months after announcing its entry into seven new markets, according to a report by the Financial Times. The company has reportedly shelved launches in five of the seven targeted countries, including Austria, Norway, and Greece, while continuing operations in Finland and Denmark.

Earlier this year, Uber had unveiled plans to expand Uber Eats into Austria, Denmark, Finland, Norway, the Czech Republic, Greece, and Romania, expecting the move to generate an additional $1 billion in gross bookings over the next three years. However, the company is now focusing on strengthening its presence in markets where it has already launched.

The reported slowdown comes as Uber continues pursuing a takeover of Germany-based Delivery Hero. In May, Delivery Hero confirmed it had received a €33-per-share takeover offer from Uber. Reuters also reported that Uber increased its stake in the company to nearly 37% after acquiring additional shares from Aspex Management. While Delivery Hero declined to comment, Uber has not officially responded to the report.

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Canada Strengthens Arctic Defense Ties With Nordic Nations Amid Trump Pressure

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Canada is expanding its Arctic defense cooperation with Nordic countries as concerns grow over regional security and comments by U.S. President Donald Trump about Greenland and Canada. Canadian officials and Nordic allies are increasing military coordination, intelligence sharing and Arctic preparedness amid rising tensions linked to Russia and growing Chinese activity in the region.

Prime Minister Mark Carney has strengthened partnerships with Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Iceland as part of a broader strategy to reduce dependence on the United States for Arctic security. In March, Canada and the Nordic nations agreed to deepen cooperation in defense production, military procurement and cybersecurity. Discussions are also underway to help Greenland develop a local force modeled after Canada’s Rangers.

The renewed focus on Arctic alliances comes as climate change makes the region more accessible and strategically important. Experts say Russia maintains the strongest military presence in the Arctic, while China is increasing its involvement through partnerships and infrastructure projects. Despite Canada’s push for stronger Nordic ties, analysts note that cooperation with the United States through NORAD remains essential for large-scale Arctic defense operations.

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Helsinki’s Massive Cycling Expansion Wins Praise but Faces Backlash Over Costs

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Helsinki is continuing its ambitious push toward sustainable urban transport with major investments in bicycle lanes, tramways, and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure. In April, nearly 50,000 people attended the opening of Finland’s longest bridge — a 1.2-km structure connecting the inner city to nearby islands and designed exclusively for pedestrians, cyclists, and trams. The project, including adjacent bridges and tram investments, cost around 326 million euros.

While city officials say the infrastructure will support greener mobility and reduce car dependency, critics have questioned the rising costs and lack of vehicle access. Helsinki has already developed around 1,300 km of cycling routes, including a growing “bicycle superhighway” network that is expected to expand further by 2029. However, cycling’s share of city transport has remained relatively unchanged over the past decade due to the network still being incomplete and the city’s harsh winter conditions.

Despite criticism, supporters argue the long-term benefits outweigh the expense. Officials are also expanding the tram system and recently approved plans to restrict cars from a major central street near the main railway station. Residents and cyclists have welcomed the improved connectivity, saying the new infrastructure will make commuting faster, safer, and more convenient, especially during the summer months.

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Finland Supreme Court Fines MP Over Remarks on Homosexuality

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Finland’s Supreme Court has fined Member of Parliament Paivi Rasanen for describing homosexuality as a “developmental disorder,” in a landmark ruling that has intensified debate over free speech and minority rights. The court found her guilty of incitement against a group based on statements made in a 2019 social media post and later on her website.

The court ruled that Rasanen’s claims contradicted established medical understanding and that she should have recognised the potential harm of her statements. She was ordered to pay a fine of 1,800 euros. The decision was closely contested, with a 3–2 vote, overturning earlier rulings by lower courts that had acquitted her.

Rasanen, who has served in parliament since 1995, said she was shocked by the verdict and is considering appealing to the European Court of Human Rights. The case has drawn international attention, with support from conservative groups and criticism from others, while also prompting renewed calls within Finland for changes to laws governing freedom of speech and incitement.

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Russia Warns Finland Over Possible Hosting of Nuclear Weapons

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Russia has warned that Finland would become more vulnerable if it allows nuclear weapons to be stationed on its territory. The Kremlin issued the warning after Finland indicated it may lift a long-standing ban on hosting nuclear arms, a move that could enable their deployment during wartime under NATO planning.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the decision would escalate tensions in Europe and prompt a response from Russia. According to Moscow, deploying nuclear weapons in Finland would be viewed as a direct threat, forcing Russia to take countermeasures to protect its security.

Finnish President Alexander Stubb said the proposal is not due to an immediate security threat but is meant to allow Finland to participate fully in NATO’s nuclear planning. The shift reflects broader changes in European defense strategy following the war in Ukraine and renewed discussions on nuclear deterrence led by Emmanuel Macron in Europe.

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