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Anti-Russian sanctions

Russian-Finnish trade relations "almost collapse" due to western sanctions, says envoy

According to Pavel Kuznetsov, it will take much time for trade and economic relations between the two countries to recover

MOSCOW, May 16. /TASS/. Russia's Ambassador to Finland Pavel Kuznetsov stated on Monday that bilateral trade and economic relations between Moscow and Helsinki "almost collapsed" due to the European Union’s "barbaric" economic sanctions against Russia, which Finland joined.

"As far as the possible influence of [Finland’s] NATO membership on the Russian-Finnish trade and economic relations is concerned, unfortunately, our trade has almost collapsed as a result of the European Union’s barbaric economic sanctions against Russia, which Finland obediently joined. Trade turnover decreased sharply, with many investment projects frozen, the Finnish business having left already or leaving the Russian market," he said in an interview aired by the Rossiya-24 TV news channel on Monday.

It will take much time for trade and economic relations between the two countries to recover, the diplomat noted, adding that the process is also expected to be sensitive.

The discussion on Finland’s joining NATO ramped up in early April, with most members of the alliance welcoming the idea. The majority of the Finnish parliament members favored the move. Sweden is considering the same possibility. On May 15, the ruling Social Democratic Party of the kingdom greenlighted its official participation in the activities of the bloc. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov has slammed the step as another mistake with far-reaching consequences.

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Sanctions vs. Russia Finland

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