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Russia to take measures if US, Finland conclude defense agreement — diplomat

"Our country’s specific steps will depend on the specific steps and practical actions taken as part of this agreement, including the stationing of US contingents at a Finnish military base," Maria Zakharova added

MOSCOW, November 2. /TASS/. Moscow will be compelled to take military-technical and other measures if the US and Finland conclude an agreement on defense cooperation, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at a news briefing.

"We will be forced to take response measures, both military-technical and otherwise, in order to curtail the threats to Russia’s national security that will emerge as a result," the diplomat said, when asked to comment on Helsinki and Washington potentially coming to terms on defense cooperation.

"Our country’s specific steps will depend on the specific steps and practical actions taken as part of this agreement, including the stationing of US contingents at a Finnish military base," she added.

Earlier, the Finnish authorities said that talks with the US on a defense cooperation agreement had concluded.

As the Helsingin Sanomat newspaper reported earlier, the agreement will allow the US military to operate on Finnish soil in certain agreed upon areas, outside of regular military drills.

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Foreign policy United States Finland Maria Zakharova

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