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.

• Primary Source

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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

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