German Paper: Russia Demanded Finland Leave NATO in Talks
German newspaper Bild reports that Russia demanded Finland's withdrawal from NATO in informal talks on ending the war in Ukraine. Moscow officially denies it, while Finland's defence minister says such issues are not up for discussion.
Russia has demanded that Finland leave NATO in talks on ending the war in Ukraine, the German newspaper Bild reported on Friday. NATO is the military alliance of the United States, Canada and European countries, of which Finland is a member. The report could affect both the peace talks and the security situation in northern Europe, since the demand concerns a country that borders Russia.
According to the paper, Russian representatives put forward the condition in informal discussions, but Moscow officially denies it. Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov told journalists that he knew nothing about the matter and that it was definitely not discussed.
Finland's reaction
Finnish Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen sees Russia's demand to reduce NATO's presence in countries bordering Russia as a test of the resolve of the United States and Europe.
"Russia wants European NATO members to restrict their operations in Russia's interests, and such issues are not open for discussion," the minister stressed.
Source: Bild report; statements by Kremlin and Finnish officials.
