Russia Expels 9 Finnish Diplomats and Closes Consulate in St. Petersburg

Russia has declared nine Finnish diplomats as undesirable individuals in response to the expulsion of Russian diplomats from Finland. This was announced by the Russian Foreign Ministry. In this context, Finland’s Ambassador Antti Helanterä has been summoned to the Foreign Ministry.

"The ambassador has been notified that in connection with the expulsion of nine representatives of Russian foreign missions from Finland in June 2023, the employees of the Finnish Embassy in Russia and the Finnish Consulate General in St. Petersburg have been declared persona non grata," the ministry stated.

The Russian Foreign Ministry noted that the currently discussed parameters of Finland's NATO membership create threats to the security of the Russian Federation and that arms supplies to Kyiv are clearly hostile actions against Russia.

Additionally, the ministry announced that as of October 1, Russia is withdrawing its consent for the operation of the Finnish Consulate General in St. Petersburg.