Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia Alexander Grushko pointed out that “the approval of the European Union to launch procedures for Ukraine’s accession to it will mean its end”, and stressed that “the role of Europe in international trade is declining, and that “the centers of economic and political influence are moving to the east.”

In a press interview, he noted: “If the European Union does not take care of Russia as an economic partner, then Moscow will act rationally, based on the new reality.”

The Russian authorities said they “cut off the electricity supply to Finland.” Russia’s Rao Nordic, which supplies electricity to Finland, announced on Friday its intention to cut electricity supplies at midnight, noting that it “has not received any payments in return at a time when Finland is seeking to join NATO.” Earlier, the Russian Foreign Ministry warned about the consequences of Finland and Sweden joining NATO, which would lead to the militarization of the North, while noting that it was premature to talk about Russia’s deployment of nuclear weapons in the Baltic region.