This week’s Sunday Summary will provide a review of Northern European press outlets.
Trump’s tolls and Ukraine aid
After last week’s confrontation between Zelensky and Trump, the US president continues to cause chaos on military and economic fronts. The Ukrainian president continues to push for US support in military and economic matters, seeking to broker a deal that would give the US the right to mine Ukrainian resources.
Norwegian state media NRK reports on the US’s stop on intelligence sharing, leaving Ukraine to fight against Russia “in blind”. The brisk steps in ending aid to Ukraine could be a tactic to push Zelensky to accept a US-Ukrainian recourse deal.
Finnish state media YLE interviews expert on defense policy Kristi Raik, saying that with Trump's course of weakness against Russia, a rapid ceasefire in Ukraine is not in sight.
As Trump announces tolls targeting the EU, YLE is reporting on a movement boycotting US goods. Although boycotts can be one way for consumers to influence company behavior, they are not easy solutions, as many are required to participate for a strong impact.
Although Putin has received so much from Trump, he is still not trusted in Moscow, reports Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter. A peace agreement with Russia is not in sight.
German coalition talks
Finnish YLE and Swedish state media Sveriges Radio report a preliminary coalition agreement between conservative CDU and social democratic SPD. The two parties announced that they were ready to start formal negotiations. Conservative Friedrich Merz is likely to become the new chancellor. Important topics in negotiations are likely to be tighter migration policies and military investments.
Nordic Ski World Championship in Trondheim
Norwegian NRK, as well as newspapers like Addressavisen, are dominated by the Nordic Ski World Championship, which has been happening in Trondheim over the last week. The Norwegian Johannes Høsflot Klæbo is regarded as the front-runner in cross-country skiing and has so far won six gold medals during these Championships, earning Norway a strong lead with a total of 13 gold medals. Ski jumping and Nordic combination, consisting of ski jumping and a cross-country ski race, complete the Championships, which will come to an end on Sunday with a last race.
Rain and temperatures far above zero degrees created difficult conditions for racers, who had to compete in wet snow. Heavy winds had led to the termination of multiple competitions, including ski jumping. With portable toilets moved and a roof removed from a house by the wind, conditions were far too dangerous for athletes.
Norway
After being secretary general of NATO for a long time, Jens Stoltenberg has entered Norwegian politics again as minister of finance. In a current argument over tax policy, he is pushing for a cross-party commission to find political agreement in a recent press conference. Some experts welcome his idea, which would remove tax policy largely from the agenda of new elections. Criticism comes from Guri Melby, leader of the liberal party Venstre, who sees this as a campaign stunt. While Venstre is in favor of broadly agreed upon tax policy, “om dette berre handler om å utgreie, sette en kommisjon og skyve på spørsmålet, er eg svært kritisk” (if this is just about enquiring, setting up a commission and postponing the question, I am very critical), she said.
- NRK
After a ship came close to the safety zone around the oil rig Troll B, 78 workers stood by to evacuate. No evacuation took place as the ship changed course after being contacted. An Equinor (Norwegian state oil company) spokesperson described the reaction as a routine procedure in such cases.
- NRK
Finland
The Finnish defense industry is prospering as the global security situation worsens. Equipment like helmets and weapons are in high demand and are needed not only more, but quicker. While Finland buys most of its weapons abroad, Finnish companies produce particularly consumables and develop digital warfare tools.
- YLE
The band KAJ is also dominating headlines as it won at the Swedish Melodiefestivalen with its song “Bara Bada Bastu” about the benefits and joys of the sauna. KAJ will thus represent Sweden at the Eurovision Song Contest.
- YLE
Sweden
Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard bought shares in the defense company Mildef before a Swedish defense contract was awarded to the company. According to Stenergard, she had no say in the decision to award the contract to Mildef. Experts say she did not maintain an appropriate distance from the decision and that her ownership might have influenced the decision. While it does not seem any laws were broken, one expert found “affären ser illa ut” (the affair looks bad).
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