The Kremlin confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin had discussed over the phone with his Finnish counterpart, Saulistö, the Helsinki government’s plans to join NATO.
And the Russian presidency said in a statement that Putin and Niinisto openly exchanged views today, Saturday, at a meeting at the request of the Finnish side, “about the Finnish leadership announcing its intention to apply to join the NATO. ”
According to the statement, Putin stressed that “it is wrong for Finland to abandon its policy of military neutrality because there is no risk to its security” and warned that this change in Helsinki’s foreign strategy could negatively affect mutually beneficial Russian-Finnish. . ” established relationships. ” In the spirit of good neighborhoods, teamwork and cooperation for many years.
The call came amid expectations that Finland and Sweden will submit an official application to join NATO in the near future, against the background of Russia’s ongoing military operation in Ukraine.
In a statement from the Kremlin, it was said that during the meeting, the presidents of Russia and Finland discussed the situation in Ukraine, and Putin stressed Niinisto about his assessment of the ongoing negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv.
According to the statement, Putin blamed the Ukrainian side for “actually suspending negotiations and not showing interest in serious and constructive talks”.
Source: RT
Source: Arabic RT
