Finnish media on December 17, 2025, heavily emphasized Prime Minister Orpo's apology for offensive publications by individual MPs, particularly the 'eye-stretching' gestures. This diplomatic action was reported extensively in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean statements by mid-morning, with MTV Lebanon noting the international attention on Finland's "racist firestorm".
Concurrently, the acquisition of F-35 fighter jets continued to be a significant defense story, with the first jet showcased in Texas, leading to discussions about Finland's long-term ties to the USA. Russia's Foreign Minister Lavrov reiterated that the EU and NATO were at war with Russia, and new concerns arose over Russian GPS jamming in the Baltic Sea. By evening, debates on tightening Finnish citizenship requirements also emerged.
