Russia

It's time for Sweden to join NATO because it has done what's necessary to secure Turkey's approval for membership, the military alliance's secretary-general said Monday.

"I have said that time has come to bring to an end the ratification process for Sweden," Jens Stoltenberg told Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet in an interview.

The U.N. Security Council voted unanimously on Dec. 9 to keep a key border crossing from Türkiye to Syria's rebel-held northwest open for critical aid deliveries for another six months. Syria's ally Russia — in a surprise move — supported the resolution.

In an article analyzing the situation in the Western Balkans, titled "Europe needs to do more", the Guardian states that in December "local disputes" led to the installation of barricades in the north of Kosovo, which is mainly inhabited by Serbs.

BELGRADE - In the latest rankings published by the US-based Global Firepower website, Serbia is placed 58th out of 145 countries, ranking higher than any other country in the region in terms of military strength.

Compared to the previous rankings, Serbia has moved up from the 61st position.

Türkiye, which has for months blocked NATO membership bids by Sweden and Finland, has made some demands that Sweden cannot accept, Sweden's prime minister said on Jan. 8. 

If there is a quality that characterizes the Greek nation, it is the ability to survive the tumults of history and float above its waves. It is precisely this ability that will be tested in 2023. And - according to some - Greek-Turkish relations may be the most serious issue that will be decided.

Here are the highlights of events related to the war in Ukraine over the past 24 hours:

Dozens of Russian attacks against Ukraine have been launched over the past 24 hours

"Sweden is confident that Turkey will approve its application for NATO membership, but we cannot fulfill all Turkish demands," Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said on Sunday, quoted by the Reuters agency.

Cypriot Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides will meet with his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock on Monday, just days after she warned any weak links in Europe's resolve would only embolden Moscow.

"Insignificant amounts of money lead to significant influence on public consciousness in Bulgaria, which should not happen. An article written by, say, the GRU was also published in Bulgarian media - for 150 euros," investigative journalist Christo Grozev told Nova TV.