Russian President Vladimir Putin criticized Europe for “Russophobia” and accused the Baltic States of human rights violations during the unveiling of a World War Two memorial. Putin compared the fight against the Nazis to his actions in Ukraine and accused Ukraine of exalting Hitler’s accomplices. He also criticized the Baltic States for declaring people subhuman and depriving them of basic rights.
Turkey is expected to send the final instrument of ratification for Sweden’s NATO membership to Washington, which will clear the way for Turkey’s purchase of U.S. F-16 fighter jets. President Tayyip Erdogan signed off on Sweden’s membership after parliament endorsed it, ending 20 months of delays. The final document needs to be deposited in the U.S. State Department archives. Turkey’s approval was seen as the main obstacle in securing Sweden’s accession into NATO. The U.S. and U.K. welcomed Erdogan’s approval. The approval is linked to the billion sale of F-16s and modernization kits to Turkey. U.S. President Joe Biden intends to begin the formal notification process for the sale once Ankara completes Sweden’s NATO accession process. Turkey is now awaiting the U.S.’s move on the F-16 sale.
In 2023, NATO air forces were scrambled over 300 times in response to Russian military aircraft. The majority of encounters were safe and professional, with breaches of NATO airspace by Russian aircraft being rare and short-lived. Most intercepts occurred over the Baltic Sea. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, NATO reinforced its eastern flank air defenses. NATO fighter jets are on standby at all times to respond to suspicious or unannounced flights near the airspace of NATO allies. On the same day, Russia launched a major missile attack on Ukraine, resulting in civilian casualties and damage to residential buildings.