**Finland to Host NATO Summit on Baltic Sea Security**
Finland will host a summit for NATO member states with access to the Baltic Sea. The meeting, co-organized by Finland and Estonia, aims to address regional security threats.
The summit follows recent damage to Baltic Sea infrastructure, which has been attributed to suspected Russian sabotage. Attendees will include leaders from Denmark, Latvia, Lithuania, Germany, Poland, Sweden, and European Commission Vice President Henna Virkkunen.
**Russia’s Shadow Fleet in Focus**
NATO will focus on enhancing its presence in the Baltic Sea and responding to risks posed by Russia’s so-called shadow fleet, a group of tankers allegedly used for sanction evasion and espionage. The alliance has deployed up to 10 vessels to guard undersea infrastructure in the region until April.
**Ukraine Defense Efforts**
The meeting will also touch on Ukraine’s defense capabilities, with NATO discussing ways to strengthen Ukraine’s air force, armor, artillery, drone, de-mining, missile defense, and maritime security needs. The talks come as Ukraine continues to face threats from Russia.
**Global Developments**
Meanwhile, US President-elect Donald Trump has called for NATO to increase its defense spending benchmark from 2% of GDP to 5%. In another development, Venezuela‘s President Nicolas Maduro announced the detention of three Ukrainians, accusing them of plotting a terrorist attack.