Putin warns Finland that joining Nato would harm Russia relations

The Russian president has warned his Finnish counterpart that relations between the 2 neighbours might be “negatively affected” if Finland follows by way of with plans to use for Nato membership.

The Kremlin’s press service stated in an announcement that Vladimir Putin informed Sauli Niinistö that Finland’s abandonment “of its traditional policy of military neutrality would be an error since there are no threats to Finland’s security”.

The assertion added: “Such a change in the country’s foreign policy could negatively affect Russian-Finnish relations, which had been built in the spirit of good neighbourliness and partnership for many years, and were mutually beneficial.”

The response got here after Niinistö informed Putin in a telephone dialog that the militarily non-aligned Nordic nation, which has a posh historical past with its japanese neighbour, “will decide to apply for Nato membership in the coming days”.

Niinistö’s workplace stated the Finnish head of state informed Putin how starkly Finland’s safety setting had modified after Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, and pointed to Russia’s calls for on Finland refraining from looking for membership of the 30-member western army alliance.

“The discussion [with Putin] was straightforward and unambiguous and was held without exaggeration. Avoiding tensions was considered important,” stated Niinistö, Finland’s president since 2012 and one among a handful of western leaders who has been in common dialogue with Putin over the previous decade.

Niinistö stated he had already informed Putin at their first assembly in 2012 that “each independent nation would maximise its own security”.

“That is still the case. By joining Nato, Finland will strengthen its own security and assume its responsibilities. It is not something away from anybody,” Niinistö stated.

He careworn that Finland, regardless of its possible future Nato membership, needed to proceed coping with Russia bilaterally in “practical issues generated by the border neighbourhood” and hoped to have interaction with Moscow “in a professional manner”.

According to the Kremlin assertion, the 2 leaders additionally mentioned Russia’s army operation in Ukraine, and the potential for reaching a political resolution. Putin stated negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv had been suspended as a result of Ukraine’s “lack of interest in a serious and constructive dialogue”.

The telephone name was performed on Finland’s initiative, Niinistö’s workplace stated.

Finland shares a 830-mile (1,340km) border with Russia, the longest of any EU member.

Niinistö and the Finnish prime minister, Sanna Marin, on Thursday collectively endorsed Finland’s Nato bid and really helpful the nation should apply for it “without delay” to ensure safety amid Russia’s army manoeuvres in Ukraine and Europe’s modified geopolitical and safety panorama.

A proper announcement from Niinistö and Marin of Finland’s intention to use for membership is anticipated on Sunday. Marin’s governing Social Democratic occasion accepted the appliance on Saturday, paving the best way for a parliamentary vote subsequent week to endorse the transfer. It is anticipated to move with overwhelming assist.

A proper membership software would then be submitted to Nato headquarters in Brussels.

Neighbouring Sweden is anticipated to resolve on its stance on Sunday in a gathering of the governing Social Democratic occasion led by the prime minister, Magdalena Andersson.

The US president, Joe Biden, held a joint name on Friday with Niinistö and Andersson the place, in keeping with a White House assertion, he “underscored his support for Nato’s open door policy and for the right of Finland and Sweden to decide their own future, foreign policy and security arrangements”.

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