DefenceTalkSwedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson said Tuesday her government wanted to boost the country’s military capabilities following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as the “general threat level” had increased. “Sweden’s defensive capabilities need to be strengthened, the rearmament needs to be brought forward,” Andersson said during a televised speech to the nation. “Sweden should have a […]https://www.defencetalk.com/sweden-to-boost-defences-after-russias-ukrainian-invasion-78193/

DefenceTalkRussia’s invasion of Ukraine has sparked a change of mindset among Finnish citizens and politicians towards joining NATO, Prime Minister Sanna Marin said on Tuesday. “The views of citizens are certainly changing and I believe those of the parties and their members are also changing,” due to the deteriorating security environment, Marin said. She was […]https://www.defencetalk.com/finlands-view-on-joining-nato-is-changing-says-pm-78190/

DefenceTalkChancellor Olaf Scholz on Sunday announced a major shift in Germany’s foreign and defence policy, as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine forces Europe’s biggest economy to ditch decades of reluctance in raising its military profile. Haunted by its post-war guilt, Germany has always treaded lightly and quietly on the world stage when it comes to conflicts. […]https://www.defencetalk.com/a-new-era-germany-rewrites-its-defence-foreign-policies-78136/

DefenceTalkUkraine’s armed forces find themselves vastly outnumbered and outmatched in firepower by their Russian opponents, despite growing military assistance for Kyiv’s troops by the West. Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose country had massed some 150,000 troops on the border in recent months, on Thursday ordered military operations against Ukraine. There are also, according to Western […]https://www.defencetalk.com/despite-wests-help-ukraine-forces-vastly-outnumbered-by-russia-78064/

DefenceTalkBritish military equipment maker BAE Systems on Thursday said annual net profit jumped over a third following asset disposals, while its shares were a rare riser after Russia attacked Ukraine. Net profit jumped 35 percent to pound1.76 billion ($2.36 billion) last year, compared with 2020, BAE said in an earnings statement. BAE profited also from […]https://www.defencetalk.com/defence-giant-bae-systems-grows-profits-shares-rise-78058/

DefenceTalkSweden and Finland plan to stay out of NATO despite the “shock” of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, leaders of the two countries said Thursday. With the military offensive ordered last night by Russian President Vladimir Putin, “we have entered a new and dark chapter in European history,” Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson told a […]https://www.defencetalk.com/sweden-finland-firm-on-staying-out-of-nato-78055/

DefenceTalkUkraine, sandwiched between Russia and the European Union, has since independence in 1991 been torn between its former Soviet master Moscow and the Western institutions it wants to join. Here is an overview: Independence and nuclear arsenal scrapped In December 1991, Ukraine votes in favour of independence from the Soviet Union in a referendum. Russian […]https://www.defencetalk.com/ukraine-torn-between-russia-and-the-west-78078/

DefenceTalkEU members on Tuesday agreed a package of new sanctions against Russia that aims to inflict severe damage on the country after its recognition of breakaway regions in Ukraine, the EU foreign policy chief said. The 27 members of the EU unanimously agreed the measures at an informal meeting in Paris on the sidelines of […]https://www.defencetalk.com/eu-agrees-sanctions-that-will-hurt-russia-78028/

DefenceTalkMorocco has established a new military zone bordering Algeria, a Moroccan military publication said Monday, amid mounting tensions between the two North African countries. The establishment of the new zone redefines Morocco’s military borders, introducing a new eastern military zone alongside the previously designated northern and southern military zones. Algeria borders Morocco to the latter’s […]https://www.defencetalk.com/morocco-creates-new-military-zone-along-algeria-border-78016/

DefenceTalkWestern leaders on Saturday said Russia and China were seeking to “replace the existing international rules” with their own order, as Beijing backed Moscow over its showdown with NATO. Russia has all but encircled Ukraine with its huge troop buildup and US President Joe Biden has warned that Vladimir Putin plans an invasion within days. […]https://www.defencetalk.com/west-voices-fears-of-russia-china-axis-78008/