Russia's Foreign Ministry summoned Finnish Ambassador Antti Helantera on Thursday to protest Finland's "confrontational anti-Russian policy" that aims to "break off multifaceted trade, economic and interregional ties." The ministry claimed that Finland's recent accession to NATO poses a threat to Russia's security and accused it of "encouraging" Ukraine to continue the conflict with Russia by providing it with weapons.
Helantera was informed that nine Finnish diplomats will be expelled from Russia as a retaliatory measure after a similar move from Finland in June. In addition, Russia will revoke its consent to the activities of the Consulate General of Finland in St. Petersburg from October.
