HELSINKI -
Russian President Vladimir Putin warned his Finnish counterpart Saturday that relations between the 2 neighbours might be "negatively affected" if Finland follows by way of with plans to use for NATO membership.
The Kremlin's press service mentioned in a press release that Putin advised Sauli Niinisto Finland's abandonment "of its conventional coverage of army neutrality could be an error since there are not any threats to Finland's safety."
"Such a change within the nation's overseas coverage may negatively have an effect on Russian-Finnish relations, which had been constructed within the spirit of fine neighbourliness and partnership for a few years, and have been mutually helpful," the assertion added.
The response got here after Niinisto advised Putin in a cellphone dialog that the militarily non-aligned Nordic nation, which has a posh historical past with its large jap neighbour, "will resolve to use for NATO membership within the coming days."
Niinisto's workplace mentioned in a press release that the Finnish head of state advised Putin how starkly Finland's safety atmosphere had modified after Moscow's Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine, and pointed to Russia's calls for for Finland to chorus from in search of membership of the 30-nation Western army alliance.
"The dialogue (with Putin) was easy and unambiguous and was held with out exaggeration. Avoiding tensions was thought-about necessary," mentioned Niinisto, Finland's president since 2012 and one in all a handful of Western leaders who has been in common dialogue with Putin over the previous decade.
Niinisto identified that he had already advised Putin at their first assembly in 2012 that "every impartial nation would maximize its personal safety."
"That's nonetheless the case. By becoming a member of NATO, Finland will strengthen its personal safety and assume its obligations," Niinisto mentioned.
Niinisto burdened that Finland, regardless of its doubtless future membership in NATO, needs to proceed to take care of Russia bilaterally in "sensible points generated by the border neighbourhood" and hopes to have interaction with Moscow "in an expert method."
In keeping with the Kremlin assertion, the 2 leaders additionally mentioned Russia's "army operation" in Ukraine, and the potential for reaching a political resolution. Putin mentioned negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv had been suspended on account of Ukraine's "lack of curiosity in a severe and constructive dialogue."
The cellphone name was performed on Finland's initiative, Niinisto's workplace mentioned.
Finland shares a 1,340-kilometre (830-mile) border with Russia, the longest by any European Union member.
Niinisto and Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin on Thursday collectively endorsed their nation's NATO bid and advisable that Finland "should apply for NATO membership at once" to ensure its safety.
A proper announcement from Niinisto and Marin of Finland's intention to use for NATO membership is anticipated on Sunday. Marin's governing Social Democratic Celebration permitted the membership bid on Saturday, paving method for a parliamentary vote subsequent week to endorse the transfer. It is anticipated to cross with overwhelming help. A proper membership utility would then be submitted to NATO headquarters in Brussels.
Neighbouring Sweden is ready to resolve on its NATO stance on Sunday at a gathering of the governing Social Democratic Celebration led by Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson.
One potential hurdle to Finland and Sweden becoming a member of the alliance got here from NATO member Turkey, whose president mentioned Friday he was "not beneficial" to the concept.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan cited help in Sweden and different Scandinavian nations for Kurdish militants -- whom Turkey considers to be terrorists.
Finland's International Minister Pekka Haavisto mentioned Saturday that he had already known as his Turkish counterpart, Mevlut Cavusoglu, "to take the tensions down."
"I am positive that we'll discover a resolution to this merchandise as nicely," he advised reporters in the beginning of a casual NATO overseas ministers' assembly in Berlin late Saturday.
U.S. President Joe Biden held a joint name Friday with each Niinisto and Andersson the place, based on a White Home assertion, he "underscored his help for NATO's Open Door coverage and for the suitable of Finland and Sweden to resolve their very own future, overseas coverage and safety preparations."
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Frank Jordans in Berlin contributed to this report.
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