HELSINKI, March 9. /TASS/. Finland freezes cooperation with Russia in the sphere of higher education and science, the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture announced on Wednesday.

"The Ministry of Education and Culture recommends that Finnish higher education institutions refrain from all cooperation with Russian partner organisations in higher education and science," the statement said.

The ministry indicated that "new projects should not be initiated and existing cooperation between organisations should be suspended for the time being."

"The processing of new initiatives related to cooperation between the authorities of Finland and Russia or Belarus will also be frozen," the ministry stressed.

The ministry noted that applying for entry to Finland as a student or researcher "continues to be possible, regardless of citizenship." Finland will also suspend cooperation with Russia and Belarus in the framework of the EU educational programs.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 24 launched a special military operation in Ukraine following a request for assistance from the leaders of the Donbass republics. He said Moscow had no plans for an occupation of Ukrainian territories.