(VOVWORLD) - Russia’s Foreign Ministry on Thursday announced the expulsion of nine Finnish diplomats and the closure of Finland’s consulate in St. Petersburg in retaliation for Finland expelling nine Russian diplomats last month.
 The Consulate General of Finland in St. Petersburg, Russia. (Photo: Themoscowtimes) |
The Russian Foreign Ministry summoned Finland’s ambassador to protest Helsinki's "confrontational anti-Russian policy".
Finnish President Sauli Niinisto called the measures a harsh and asymmetrical response to Finland's expulsion decision. He said Finland is preparing, in response, to close the Russian consulate in Turku.
Non-essential travel by Russian citizens to Finland and through Finland to the rest of the Schengen area will continue to be restricted for the time being. At the same time, restrictions will be tightened for business travellers, property owners, and students.
Russia-Finland relations were strained after Finland joined NATO in April, abandoning a decades-old policy of no military alliances. Finland also erected a stronger border fence with Russia.