The Finnish president was shocked by Russia's decision.
(Baonghean.vn) - Finnish President Sauli Niinisto called the closure of his country's consulate general in Saint Petersburg (Russia) a complete surprise.
The Yle newspaper quoted Finnish President Sauli Niinisto as saying that the closure of the Finnish consulate in Saint Petersburg (Russia) came as a surprise to Helsinki.
"We know that many other countries have faced similar situations, and we are not alone. However, in the current circumstances, of course, it is a great surprise," Finnish President Sauli Niinisto admitted.
According to the Finnish leader, Moscow's decision has taken the situation in a new direction.
President Sauli Niinisto described Russia's retaliatory measure as "a harsh and disproportionate response to Finland's decision to expel Russian diplomats." He said Finland was preparing to retaliate by closing the Russian consulate in Turku.
On July 6, in a statement, the Russian Foreign Ministry said: “As part of a response to the confrontational actions of the Finnish authorities, the Russian side has decided that nine employees of the Finnish embassy in Russia and the consulate general in Saint Petersburg are persona non grata. Moscow will also close the Finnish diplomatic mission in Saint Petersburg from October 1.”
For Moscow, Finland's policy aims to disrupt bilateral relations, sever trade, economic, and interregional ties, discriminate against Russians in visa applications, and hinder the operation of Russian diplomatic missions in Finland.
