Finland Gives US Access to Military Base, Russia: We Will Not Allow NATO Military Buildup on Borders

One of Russia's borders with Finland. (Wikimedia Commons/Olle Gustavsson)

JAKARTA - A Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman said the country would respond to Finland's decision to grant the United States access to its military bases.

"I can only assure you that Russia will not allow NATO's military buildup on our borders, which threatens the security of the Russian Federation," Deputy Spokesman Andrei Nastasin was quoted as saying by Reuters on July 4.

"We will also take the necessary measures, including military-technical ones, to counter the aggressive decisions of Finland, as well as its NATO allies," he added.

Finland's parliament on Monday approved a defense cooperation agreement with the United States to be signed in December 2023.

The US-Finland Defense Cooperation Agreement signed by the government in December gives Washington access to 15 of its military bases, for possible use by US forces, and will also allow the US to bring defense equipment, supplies, materials and troops to Finland, national broadcaster Yle reported, as quoted by Anadolu.

The agreement, which creates a framework for US activities and a more permanent presence in the Scandinavian country, will see the creation of a specific military zone, which will include facilities that can only be accessed by US personnel.

In addition, cooperation between the two countries in crisis situations will be strengthened.

Kimmo Kiljunen, chairman of the social democratic Foreign Affairs Committee, praised the ratification of the agreement as a "historic moment" for his country.

"The task of this agreement, just like the task of Finland's NATO membership, is to strengthen the security of Finland and the Finnish people," he said.

It is known that before Finland, there were 11 other NATO members who signed similar agreements with Uncle Sam's country, including Sweden, Norway and Denmark.