“President Vladimir Putin, in a telephone conversation with his Finnish counterpart Sauli Niinistö, stressed that ending the traditional policy of military neutrality would be a mistake, since there is no threat to the security of Finland,” the Kremlin said in a statement. “”.

On Sunday, Helsinki’s candidacy for membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is expected to be announced, which angers Moscow.

And the press service of the Finnish presidency reported that “During a telephone conversation, President Niinistö told Putin how the security situation in Finland has radically changed, and that Finland will make a decision on joining NATO in the coming days.”

And in a statement, he stated that “the President of Finland referred to what he told the President of Russia during their first meeting in 2012 that he believes that every independent country is responsible for its own security,” adding: “This is exactly what is happening Now, by joining NATO, Finland is strengthening its security and taking responsibility.”