Russia‘s Foreign Ministry on Thursday introduced the expelling of 9 Finnish diplomats and shutting down of Finland‘s consulate in St. Petersburg in retaliation for Finland expelling 9 Russian diplomats final month.

The ministry stated in a prolonged assertion that it summoned Finland‘s ambassador to Russia, Antti Helanterä, on Thursday, and relayed its “strong protest in connection with the confrontational anti-Russian policy pursued by the Finnish authorities.”

The assertion additionally famous that “the parameters of Finland’s accession to NATO create a threat” to Russia’s safety, and “encouraging the Kyiv regime to (go to) war and pumping it with Western weapons means clearly hostile actions against our country.” The assertion concluded that “this line of the Finnish authorities cannot remain unanswered.”

It stated 9 Finnish diplomats can be expelled from Russia, and a allow permitting the Finnish consulate in St. Petersburg - the nation’s second-largest metropolis - to function shall be revoked ranging from Oct. 1.

Finland, which shares a protracted border with Russia, joined NATO in April because the army alliance’s thirty first member. Interaction between Helsinki and Moscow has turn out to be restrained in latest months.

Finland’s veteran politician after which international minister, Pekka Haavisto, introduced in May that Russia has frozen the financial institution accounts of Finland’s diplomatic representations in Moscow and St. Petersburg, disrupting cash stream and forcing the Nordic nation’s missions to resort to money funds.

In June, Finland expelled 9 Russian diplomats, suspected of working in intelligence operations at Russia’s embassy in Helsinki.

Finnish President Sauli Niinistö tweeted that he thought-about Moscow’s transfer on Thursday as “a tough and asymmetric” response to Helsinki’s determination to expel Russian diplomats.

Niinistö stated the Finnish authorities was mulling counter-measures together with a attainable closure of Russia’s consulate within the western Finnish port metropolis of Turku.

Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen stated on Twitter that Moscow’s transfer was “out of proportion” and that “Finland will react” to Russia’s determination.

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