Deputy Director General for Africa, Middle East and Latin America at @Ulkoministerio. RT:s not necessarily endorsements.
Helsinki, Finland
Joined June 2015
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Timo Olkkonen🇫🇮 🇪🇺🇺🇦 retweeted
Today, I had fruitful discussions with the President of the United Arab Emirates @MohamedBinZayed , the President of Egypt @AlsisiOfficial and the Prime Minister of Qatar @MBA_AlThani_
We discussed a broad range of topics, including the Middle East and Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine as well opportunies for strengthening bilateral cooperation.
The common denominator in all these calls was the recognition of the need to promote peace and stability in both regions, and the readiness to work towards these goals.
Timo Olkkonen🇫🇮 🇪🇺🇺🇦 retweeted
"In one week, Russia armed one side of a deepening quarrel in Ethiopia while courting the other in Sudan. The double game is deliberate, since Russian strategy in the Horn sees countries there as customers first and friends a distant second, if at all." thearabweekly.com/putin-has-…
Timo Olkkonen🇫🇮 🇪🇺🇺🇦 retweeted
What The Russian Empire Wanted vs What It Got From The Berlin Conference (1884-85) & The Scramble For Africa
Credit: @forummapping
Maps for the other powers: brilliantmaps.com/berlin-con…
Timo Olkkonen🇫🇮 🇪🇺🇺🇦 retweeted
Okay:
- Attached bottlecap
- Schengen, expanded to Croatia, Romania and Bulgaria
- The euro joined by Croatia and Bulgaria
- Air passenger rights (older, 2004, newly updated 2025)
- Galileo satellite navigation
- EU-Canada trade deal (CETA)
- EU-Mercosur trade deal
- EU-Japan trade deal
- EU-Singapore trade deal
- EU-Vietnam trade deal
- EU-Indonesia trade deal
- End of roaming charges, extended to 2032
- Price cap on calls and texts to other EU countries
- USB-C common charger
- Geo-blocking ban for online shopping
- Streaming subscriptions that work abroad
- Payment Services Directive (PSD2), no card surcharges and open banking
- Instant payments regulation
- EU Digital Identity Wallet
- eCall automatic crash alert in new cars
- Automatic emergency braking in new cars
- EU-Alert emergency warnings on phones
- Single Digital Gateway for cross-border admin
- No more apostille stamps between member states
- WiFi4EU free public wifi
- DiscoverEU free Interrail passes for 18-year-olds
- Erasmus+ (older, 2014), budget nearly doubled
- European Universities alliances
- European Solidarity Corps
- EU Digital COVID Certificate
- Joint COVID vaccine procurement
- Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA)
- EU4Health
- Europe's Beating Cancer Plan
- European Health Data Space
- NextGenerationEU joint borrowing
- SURE short-time work loans
- 15% global minimum corporate tax
- European Market Infrastructure Regulation (EMIR 3), euro clearing back in the EU
- Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA)
- European Green Bond Standard
- Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) on defence
- European Defence Fund
- European Peace Facility arms for Ukraine
- EU military training mission for Ukrainian troops
- Act in Support of Ammunition Production (ASAP)
- Strategic Compass and the 5,000-strong rapid deployment capacity
- European Defence Industrial Strategy
- Security Action for Europe (SAFE), €150bn joint defence loans
- ReArm Europe / Readiness 2030
- First ever Commissioner for Defence and Space
- Military mobility funding
- IRIS² sovereign satellite constellation
- EU Space Programme and the EU Agency for the Space Programme
- rescEU shared firefighting fleet
- 5G security toolbox
- Foreign investment screening
- Foreign Subsidies Regulation
- International Procurement Instrument
- Anti-Coercion Instrument
- Dual-use export control regulation
- Temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees
- Candidate status and accession talks for Ukraine and Moldova
- Ukraine Facility
- €90bn joint-borrowing loan to Ukraine
- Sanctions on Russia (older, 2014), big packages from 2022
- Russian banks cut from SWIFT
- Russian oil embargo and oil price cap
- Russian gas import phase-out
- Western Balkans Growth Plan
- Global Gateway
- REPowerEU
- Gas storage regulation
- Joint gas buying through AggregateEU
- Coordinated gas demand cut
- Windfall levy on fossil energy profits
- Electricity market reform
- European Climate Law, net zero by 2050
- Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)
- Emissions Trading System reform and the Social Climate Fund
- Renewable Energy Directive, 42.5% by 2030
- European Wind Power Package
- European Hydrogen Bank
- Methane regulation
- Nature Restoration Law
- Ambient air quality directive
- Drinking water directive
- Urban wastewater directive, polluter pays
- Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA)
- Conflict minerals regulation
- European Chips Act
- Net-Zero Industry Act
- Batteries Regulation with battery passport
- European Battery Alliance
- Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI) on batteries and hydrogen
- EuroHPC supercomputers, including JUPITER
- InvestAI and the AI gigafactories
- Horizon Europe and the European Innovation Council
- Ecodesign regulation, no destroying unsold clothes
- Right to repair
- Ban on products made with forced labour
- Ban on vague greenwashing claims
- General Product Safety Regulation
- Common Agricultural Policy (older, 1962), current version 2023 to 2027
- Unfair trading practices directive protecting farmers
- Geographical indications reform for food, wine and spirits
- EU-China agreement protecting European regional products
- Geographical indications for crafts, like Murano glass and Delft Blue
- Creative Europe (older, 2014), current programme 2021
- Culture Moves Europe grants for artists
- Music Moves Europe
- European Year of Cultural Heritage
- European Capitals of Culture (older, 1985)
- New European Bauhaus
- European Collaborative Cloud for Cultural Heritage
- Ban on importing looted cultural goods
- 30% European content on streaming platforms
- Culture Compass for Europe
- European Media Freedom Act
- Anti-SLAPP directive protecting journalists
- European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO)
- Rule of law conditionality on EU funds
- Annual Rule of Law Report
- Article 7 against Hungary
- Whistleblower protection directive
- European Labour Authority
- Work-life balance directive, paternity leave
- Adequate minimum wages directive
- Pay transparency directive
- Women on boards directive
- Violence against women directive
- European Child Guarantee
- European Accessibility Act
- European Disability Card
- Rail passenger rights (older, 2007), recast 2021
- Trans-European Transport Network (older), revised 2024
- Single Market Emergency Instrument
- EU Inc (proposed)
- Digital euro (in negotiation)
- Next EU budget at close to €2 trillion (proposed)
- European Competitiveness Fund (proposed)
- AgoraEU culture and media programme (proposed)
- Savings and Investments Union (proposed)
- European supervision of big stock exchanges and crypto firms (proposed)
- Scaleup Europe Fund (launching)
- Startup and Scaleup Strategy
- Digital Omnibus simplification (proposed)
- European Business Wallet (proposed)
- European Innovation Act (expected)
- Quantum Act (expected)
- Cloud and AI Development Act (expected)
- Chips Act 2.0 (expected)
- Biotech Act (proposed)
- Advanced Materials Act (expected)
- Industrial Accelerator Act (expected)
- Circular Economy Act (expected)
- Critical Medicines Act (proposed)
- EU Space Act (proposed)
- European Grids Package (proposed)
- 2040 climate target of 90% (in negotiation)
- European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP)
- Defence Readiness Omnibus (proposed)
- Military mobility package (proposed)
- European Drone Defence Initiative and Eastern Flank Watch
- High-speed rail linking European capitals (plan)
- Single cross-border train ticketing (expected)
- EU Customs Authority (in negotiation)
- European Affordable Housing Plan
- Union of Skills and cross-border recognition of qualifications
- EU-India trade deal (in negotiation)
- Montenegro and Albania accession
- Qualified majority voting in foreign policy (under discussion)
Timo Olkkonen🇫🇮 🇪🇺🇺🇦 retweeted
Russia’s expanding influence in Africa carries a darker side: armed pressure, exploitation, and forced recruitment.
Timo Olkkonen🇫🇮 🇪🇺🇺🇦 retweeted
Russia lost 54,200 troops (killed or wounded) in October, the first month of the war over 50,000.
For their efforts, Russia has gained no net ground in October.
This is the most pointless war in the history of wars. Great job, Putin.
ALT Bar chart of Russian losses per month in Ukraine, Feb 2022 to Oct 2026, with October's 54,200 a record. Source: Ukraine General Staff @smirkley
Timo Olkkonen🇫🇮 🇪🇺🇺🇦 retweeted
Invading other countries breaks diplomatic rules.
Russia's Lavrov says inviting Poland to attend G20 meeting breaks diplomatic rules reut.rs/4isYXpw
Timo Olkkonen🇫🇮 🇪🇺🇺🇦 retweeted
diplomat dressing up as a diplomat this halloween so he can tell everyone he's a diplomat
Timo Olkkonen🇫🇮 🇪🇺🇺🇦 retweeted
This seems like a great time to reshare my favourite Sir Patrick Stewart performance, ‘What has the ECHR ever done for us?’ It’s just perfect in every possible way … including the ending 😂😂😂 RIP.
🎥 The Guardian
Timo Olkkonen🇫🇮 🇪🇺🇺🇦 retweeted
Finnish Foreign Minister Valtonen and I signed a Technology Prosperity Deal and a Critical Minerals Framework Agreement that will strengthen our economic and strategic cooperation. I welcome Finland’s partnership on critical minerals and commitment to sustained defense investment.
ALT Secretary Rubio and Finnish Foreign Minister Valtonen sit at a table next to one another, each holding a pen and signing a book in Washington, DC on October 29, 2026. On the table is a pen case and name card in front of each official. The U.S. and Finnish flags are displayed behind them. (State Department/Freddie Everett)
ALT Secretary Rubio and Finnish Foreign Minister Valtonen stand next to one another holding a signed book in Washington, DC on October 29, 2026. They stand behind a desk with name cards displaying their respective countries and between displays of U.S. and Finnish flags. (State Department/Freddie Everett)
ALT Secretary Rubio and Finnish Foreign Minister Valtonen sit at a wood desk next to one another and address a seated crowd and cameras in Washington, DC on October 29, 2026. On either side behind the officials are displays of U.S. and Finnish flags. The walls of the room are round with columns and built-in bookcases. Painted portraits hang between columns on the walls. (State Department/Freddie Everett)
Timo Olkkonen🇫🇮 🇪🇺🇺🇦 retweeted
President of Finland @AlexStubb received credentials from the new Ambassador of Botswana, Juliana Angela Dube-Gobotswang (accredited from Stockholm).
Timo Olkkonen🇫🇮 🇪🇺🇺🇦 retweeted
If I were a Russian, I really wouldn't start telling the Nordics that medieval history justifies invasions.
Putin spent most of a 90-minute call today lecturing the leaders of Finland and Norway on medieval Slavic history rather than discussing a peace deal in Ukraine, three people familiar with the conversation told the FT. ft.com/content/a384acd1-c90c…
Timo Olkkonen🇫🇮 🇪🇺🇺🇦 retweeted
Warm congratulations to President @LulaOficial on your re-election.
I wish you every success in leading your country and look forward to continuing the excellent cooperation between us and our nations also in the upcoming term.
Timo Olkkonen🇫🇮 🇪🇺🇺🇦 retweeted
How Many People Can Speak 3+ Languages By European Country
credit: @Maps_interlude
brilliantmaps.com/3-language…
Timo Olkkonen🇫🇮 🇪🇺🇺🇦 retweeted
I know Putin is a monster but seeing him ‘thanking Melania Trumр for her humanitarian effort’ in Oleshky after his own Russian army first occupied it to then starve the people there is some very special level of psychopathy
Timo Olkkonen🇫🇮 🇪🇺🇺🇦 retweeted
I welcome the Sakharov Prize awarded to the International Criminal Court.
For victims of the world's gravest crimes, justice means a voice.
The @IntlCrimCourt must be free to pursue its mission, independently, and without pressure or intimidation.
Europe stands firmly behind President Tomoko Akane, the Court's judges and officials, and their vital work for a world governed by rules.
Timo Olkkonen🇫🇮 🇪🇺🇺🇦 retweeted
The International Criminal Court and its officials have been awarded the European Parliament's 2026 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought.
Learn more about the laureate here ➡️ link.europa.eu/rVBvTR
ALT A group of judges in blue robes sit in session at the International Criminal Court. The text reads: “2026 Laureates of the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, The International Criminal Court and its officials, Democracy in action.” The European Parliament logo is in the bottom right‑hand corner.
Timo Olkkonen🇫🇮 🇪🇺🇺🇦 retweeted
Commander Magyar says:
Stay alert: how you are being deceived through generative AI-powered psychological operations in the information war. By both the swamp dwellers and those who call themselves “our own.”
As we in the Unmanned Systems Forces once again examine the technological challenges and risks of 2027, I rank this method—a form of cognitive operations—among the threats with strategic impact. So let me explain in plain language how it works.
When you ask an internet search engine a question, for example, “Why did X happen?” or something similar about a targeted topic—or even one that isn’t targeted—you instantly get a ready-made answer generated by a chatbot from the vastness of the web. Very convenient. But you need to understand where that answer comes from.
The chatbot searches through numerous news sources and texts and usually gives you a substantive answer, while below it, Google or whatever search engine you use displays dozens of pages of blue links to websites. Of course, reading a single compiled answer is quick and convenient. Just understand this:‼️artificial intelligence does not know the truth. It literally retells the internet.
Russia was among the first to grasp this, and here is what it is cooking up, systematically and deliberately poisoning AI with millions of fake articles: since 2022, the “Pravda” network of websites has gained momentum and remained active—close to two hundred sites in dozens of languages. These sites publish 10,000–20,000 similar articles every day, amounting to 4–6 million articles a year. These articles are not written for people. They are written for machines.
Here is what happens next: when 20,000 articles are created around a single false propaganda claim, published in different languages across hundreds of websites that also link to one another, the machine sees: lots of sources are reporting this, so it looks like the truth. And it dumps a lie on you in the chatbot’s characteristic descriptive yet confident manner, delivered in a neutral, non-judgmental tone. No telltale accents or traces of a propagandist, no “Rossiya 1” logo in the corner. Just presented as fact.
Research into ten of the world’s most popular chatbots has already found that, in a third of cases, they take in and reproduce narratives from Russian fake stories. The machine readily answers your question, “Why did X happen?” even when X is made up—meaning the lie is already embedded in the question. Back in 2024, four out of ten bots answered yes when asked, “Did Azov soldiers burn an effigy of Trump?” and provided links to sources. Try it. There are thousands of examples like this. Including ones about Magyar and the Birds—the worm goes berserk every fucking second.
We are losing ground to the worms’ troll farms in this war. Though we have bred an entire stratum of trolls of our own.
There is no “betrayal” here, and no advice to follow—just highlighting a threat that is under study alongside dozens of other challenges of today and tomorrow.
Critical thinking should not be delegated. Not even to the smartest machine. Use your head and always verify the source and the information.
We will stand
Moscow will fall
MAGYAR
16.10.26
