Warns Finland Not To Join NATO, Kremlin: Abandoning Military Neutrality Policy Is A Mistake

Kremlin (Photo: Pixabay)

JAKARTA - Russian President Vladimir Putin told Finnish President Sauli Niinisto that leaving neutrality and joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was a wrong move that could damage relations between the two countries, Putin's Kremlin office said.

Russia and Finland said their presidents spoke by telephone, two days after Finland declared its intention to join the Western alliance.

The Russian government described the intention as a security threat that forced it to take action. It is not stated what kind of action is meant.

Niinisto's office said the Finnish president told Putin "how basic Russia's demands by the end of 2021 are aimed at preventing countries from joining NATO."

Niinisto also told Putin, "The massive invasion by Russia into Ukraine in February 2022 has changed Finland's security conditions."

He said Finland wanted to handle relations with its neighbor Russia in a "correct and professional" manner.

The Kremlin said, "Vladimir Putin stressed that abandoning the traditional policy of military neutrality is wrong because there is no security threat facing Finland."

"Such changes in the country's foreign policy could have a negative impact on Russia-Finland relations," the Kremlin said.

Moscow described the two leaders' telephone conversation as a "frank exchange of views". Such descriptions usually mean that the conversation is tough.

Finland's membership plan is expected to be followed by a similar move by Sweden.

The expansion of NATO membership to border countries with Russia has been opposed by Putin and was the reason for launching the invasion of Ukraine on February 24.