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Putin warns Finland of "problems" after closing the border

2023-12-17 13:10:07, Kosova & Bota CNA

Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned of unspecified "problems" with Finland, and said he has ordered the creation of a new military district in the border regions with the Nordic country.

The comments, made in an interview due to be published on Sunday, come as tensions rise between the two neighbors over Russia's war in Ukraine starting in February 2022 and Finland's swift decision to join NATO.

In recent weeks, Finland has completely closed its borders with Russia, due to the increase in the number of migrants, mainly from the Middle East, with asylum requests.

The growing number of migrants gathered at border points has strengthened Finland's beliefs that Russian authorities are trying to push migrants to travel to Finland, with the aim of destabilizing the state.

Finland briefly opened two border crossings earlier this week, but then closed them.

"We have evidence that shows that, unlike in the past, the Russian border authorities are not only allowing people without documents to go to the Finnish border, but are also helping them constantly," said Finnish Foreign Minister Elina. Valtonen.

Finland abandoned its policy of neutrality shortly after Russia launched its war in Ukraine, and this year became NATO's 31st member.

Since then, Finland has increased the number of military units on training missions, and has allowed NATO planes to patrol its airspace, a move that has angered Russia.

In some parts of the interview for Russian state television, Putin falsely states that the West has drawn Finland into NATO.

In fact, the Finnish population has increased interest in NATO since the start of the war in Ukraine.

He has said he will reactivate the Leningrad military district, an administrative step that could result in an increase in the number of soldiers in the eastern regions with Finland.

"Have we had any disputes with them? All disputes, including territorial ones, from the middle of the 20th century, have been resolved," Putin said.

"We have no problems here. Now there will be, because the Leningrad military district will be created, and some military units will be concentrated there."

Finnish officials have not commented on these statements.

Putin was also asked about the statements of the American president, Joe Biden, who claimed this month that Russia will attack a NATO country if it wins the war in Ukraine.

"It makes absolutely no sense, and I believe that President Biden understands this," Putin said.

"Russia has no reason, no interest, no geopolitical interest, no economic, political, and no military interest, to fight with NATO countries," he said.

Russia's full-scale war in Ukraine has begun on February 24, 2022.

Putin calls the war a "special military operation" to demilitarize Ukraine.

The West has responded to Russia, hitting the economy of this country with harsh sanctions.

As a result of the war, thousands of people have died and millions more have been displaced from their homes./ REL