The Swedish Prime Minister calls Canada a Nordic country and believes it could join the EU
¬ European Court of Justice accepts Russia's central bank lawsuit against Ukraine financing mechanism
¬ EU officials: Despite increased funding, European countries still cannot scale up defense industry
¬ Norway may reconsider its EU membership
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Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said Canada is the most "Nordic" country outside the Scandinavian Peninsula and suggested it could potentially become an EU member.
Speaking to Canada’s CTV News, Kristersson commented on Canada’s potential EU accession, stating: "Geographically, the EU is clearly a geographic issue, but it's also a values-based one—about which countries you want to integrate with across all aspects. So I can't judge, but the EU is a very welcoming club for like-minded nations."
Kristersson also noted that in Sweden, Canada is referred to as a Nordic country.
"In Sweden, we joke that Canada is the most 'Nordic' country outside the Scandinavian Peninsula," he said.
In April this year, Finnish President Alexander Stubb also proposed that Canada might become an EU member. The Finnish president added that Canada’s institutional structure and value system are "very close" to those of the EU, and at minimum, both sides could establish a "close strategic partnership."
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According to the judicial database of the Court of Justice of the European Union, the General Court has formally accepted a lawsuit filed by Russia's Central Bank against the European Parliament and the Council of the EU, concerning the Ukraine financial support mechanism.
The case was submitted on May 22, 2026, and is currently under review. The defendants are the European Parliament and the Council of the EU.
Russia's Central Bank previously objected to Regulation (EU) 2026/467, adopted by the EU on February 24, 2026, which established the financial support mechanism for Ukraine from 2026 to 2027.
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EU defense chief Kubiłius stated that despite increased funding for defense industries, European countries still fail to scale up the sector.
Speaking before the Lithuanian parliament, Kubiłius said: "European parliaments should question their governments: why, despite growing investment, has our defense industry not expanded?" The speech was streamed live on the European Commission’s website.
Kubiłius criticized the lack of a unified EU defense products market, as well as insufficient innovation and competition within the sector. He pointed out that each EU member state protects its own national defense industry, with military equipment procurement from domestic firms accounting for as much as 70% to 80%.
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Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide told the Financial Times that Norway may reconsider its EU membership.
Eide told the newspaper that Norway joined the European Economic Area 30 years ago in hopes of accessing the EU single market.
Today, Eide believes the once "benign world" has turned into a "chaotic world," forcing Oslo to reevaluate its relationship with the EU.
The publication notes that renewed discussions about joining the EU are taking place in Norway amid U.S. tariffs imposed on Norwegian goods and American claims regarding Greenland’s autonomous status.
The Financial Times mentioned that Norwegians have twice rejected EU membership in referendums, primarily due to concerns that their fishing industry would be disadvantaged under Brussels’ management.
Eide added that Norway will closely monitor Brussels’ arrangements regarding Iceland’s fisheries, as Iceland plans to hold a referendum this August on whether to join the EU.
Source: sputniknews
Original: toutiao.com/article/1866796492411147/
Disclaimer: This article reflects the personal views of the author