May 12 Buonasera up-date
Early edition: Finland-NATO, reactions, Kherson, Kharkiv, Donetsk, Luhansk, Germany transitioning, EuroFile@6
Mark this momentous day! Finland has expressed its desire to join NATO.
Statement Finnish President Sauli Niinisto and Prime Minister Sanna Marin.
During this spring, an important discussion on Finland's possible Nato membership has taken place. Time has been needed to let parliament and the whole society establish their stands on the matter. Time has been needed for close international contacts with Nato and its member countries, as well as with Sweden. We have wanted to give the discussion the space it required. Now that the moment of decision-making is near, we state our equal views, also for information to the parliamentary groups and parties. Nato membership would strengthen Finland's security. As a member of Nato, Finland would strengthen the entire defence alliance. Finland must apply for Nato membership without delay. We hope that the national steps still needed to make this decision will be taken rapidly within the next few days.
Elina Valtonen commented on the BBC’s flagship programme Radio 4 this morning: "We've been partnering with Nato for a very long time, but clearly taking a step [towards] becoming members, sending the membership application, that's a [historic] move for us."
She added, "We do feel a threat from Russia, I don't think that threat ever went away entirely. Finland never took the step of diminishing its defence forces, we have always taken security very seriously. We are very much focused on defending ourselves. But of course, we would like to do that together with our close partners and allies hopefully in the future."
Immediate reactions…
The Lithuanian Minister of Defense: “We welcome the historical statement of Finland's intent to join NATO. Our friends from Finland can count on our full support – Lithuania endorses Finland’s membership in NATO as it will significantly increase security in the Baltic Sea and the whole Alliance.”
Russian media is talking about withdrawing recognition of Lithuania as a country.
Poland’s prime minister, Mateusz Morawiecki: Finland's decision to initiate Nato accession is great news for Poland and Europe's security. I congratulate president Niinsto and PM Sanna for this important move. Poland supports Finland joining NATO as quickly and smoothly as possible.
Peskov, spokesman for the Kremlin: Finnish entry to Nato is “definitely” a threat to Russia. He said Finland had joined the unfriendly steps towards Russia taken by the EU, which was a matter of regret and a reason for a symmetrical response.
Catching up…
EA Worldview’s Ukraine Up-date- hop over to Scott’s amazing hourly Ukraine up-date page. I’ll fill in with some bits and bobs.
Here are some other stories we’re following…
Zelensky: War will be over when Ukraine gets all of its territories back. President Zelensky said that his desire to continue negotiations is decreasing daily after seeing evidence of massacres and atrocities that the Russians have committed across the country.
Kharkiv has been hit by Russian artillery for 70 days: Ukrainian troops around the country's second city have pushed Russian forces so far back that their artillery is no longer in range of its centre.
The Kyiv Independent: Odesa Territorial Defense troops find ancient amphorae while digging trenches. The ancient containers date back to 4th-5th century BC, according to the 126th Brigade in a Facebook post on May 11. The artifacts have been donated to the Odesa Archaeological Museum.
Olga Lautman: Russia’s senator Pushkov posted on Telegram that Moldova is trying to unify themselves to Romania. The fake narratives by Russia continue in order to cause destabilization.
The BBC: Estonia has has warned of long-term Russian preparations for an attack on the Baltic states. Senior officials at Estonia’s Defence Ministry have called for further Nato reinforcements including an urgent need for air defence units.
Bloomberg: EU energy companies are being pragmatic after Poland and Bulgaria have been disconnected. Meantime there is still no consensus on the 6th EU sanctions package. Ten More European gas buyers open ruble accounts for payments.
Putin has handed over the intelligence side of his aggression against Ukraine over to GRU, under a Spetsnaz general. This shows that the Kremlin has failed to achieve its aims.
The Moscow Times: Russia has begun transferring Russian forces in Syria to Ukraine.
Habeck: Germany Can Endure Russia Gas Supply Halt, Bloomberg
Germany could weather a ban on Russian gas in the upcoming winter so long as it fills storages, progresses on LNG terminals and cuts consumption, Economy Minister Robert Habeck said in an interview with WirtschaftsWoche.
Ilya Lazovsky, “They’re Armed to the Teeth, But They’re Not An Army”
Sergei, where did the war find you?
The war found me in Bucha. I'm an electronic engineer, and I was working in Bucha on a project on alternative technologies. Since my partner is from Bucha, that's where we set up our research lab.
Sham referendum set for Luhansk…
Disturbing news from Donetsk: Izolyatsiya prison
Interview with Rula Jebreal: "La tv italiana è intossicata dalla propaganda russa"
Italian TV is poisoned by Russian propaganda: they give space to Russian propagandists, who are at war with reality. It’s clear to all that Santoro says the same things that Salvini does: they’re opening the road for him. Putin is doing in Ukraine what he has already done in Chechnya and Syria with Assad. Helping Ukrainians to defend themselves is a moral and political imperative.
These are a must…
Join us - EuroFile@6…
We’ll be joined by Alexander Khara and Edward Lucas as we unpack today’s historic news about Finland’s accession to NATO and its wider implications.
Eurovision news…
Ukraine’s folk-rap band The Kalush Orchestra among the 10 that have qualified for Eurovision's final on Saturday! All my picks made it through. You can watch the next semi-final evening on Thursday night on the official Eurovision livestream.
We’re signing off…thanks for reading…
Scott & Mo
✨🇫🇮✨Thank you Ya’ll. Such EXCELLENT reporting. ❤️