According to RIA Novosti on December 28, Russia's permanent representative to international organizations in Vienna Mikhail Ulyanov said in an interview with the agency that in Russia's view, Finland's accession to NATO has no benefits. He noted that given Finland's geographical location, Finland will bear the brunt of a conflict between Russia and NATO.
Russia has traditionally viewed Finland as a "neutral and generally friendly country" and has maintained good-neighborly relations with it, Ulyanov said. Finland's move to join NATO in April prompted Russia to respond with measures, including a decision to rebuild the Leningrad and Moscow Military Districts to secure its borders with Finland.
"That is, there will always be retaliatory measures," he said. I just don't understand how Finland can benefit from this. ”
Finland, which had lived peacefully and peacefully, suddenly found itself caught between Russia and NATO," Ulyanov told RIA Novosti, adding that Finland is Russia's neighbor, meaning that if there is any deterioration in relations between Russia and NATO, "Finland will bear the brunt."
Ulyanov then referred to the defense agreement signed between Finland and the United States a few days ago, according to which Finland allows US troops to be stationed and trained in Finland and to pre-deploy military supplies on Finnish territory. "This is already a serious challenge," he stressed. ”
Ulyanov, Permanent Representative of Russia to International Organizations in Vienna, Russian media data map.
In April this year, Finland became the 31st member of NATO, despite Russia's opposition. The Associated Press pointed out that this means the end of Finland's military non-alignment policy, which has lasted for more than 70 years, and the land border between NATO and Russia has been expanded by more than 1,300 kilometers. Russia immediately responded by saying that it would respond with measures of a military-technical and other nature.
Since then, relations between Russia and Finland have deteriorated. Since April, Finland has been tightening its control over the Finnish-Russian border, closing all border crossings with Russia several times. Russia also announced in May that it would reduce its reciprocal consular presence with Finland.
Finnish Defense Minister (left) signs a defense agreement with Antony Blinken in Washington on December 18. Picture from Visual China.
On December 18, Finland and the United States signed a defense cooperation agreement in Washington, D.C., allowing U.S. troops to be stationed and trained in Finland and to pre-deploy military supplies in Finland. According to Reuters, Finland will open 15 facilities and areas to the US military, including four air bases and one military port.
In an interview with his own correspondent on December 17, Putin pointed out that there is no dispute between Russia and Finland, "they have the most friendly and cordial relations", and there are no problems in the relations between the two countries, but with Finland's accession to NATO, these problems will gradually appear.
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