Nordic States Step Up Defense Cooperation Because of Russia Worries
Nordic countries agreed on Monday to step up defense cooperation and exchange more air surveillance information because they are worried about Russia’s increasing military activity. The countries have increased defense spending and cooperation with each other and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization since Russia annexed Crimea in 2014. “The … situation is a common concern for the Nordic countries … We aim at strengthening our national defense and finding cooperation to better address security concerns,” Finnish Defense Minister Jussi Niinisto told a news conference. It followed a meeting with his Swedish, Danish and Norwegian counterparts and a representative from Iceland. …