Finnish Foreign Ministry says Russia froze bank accounts of its missions in Moscow, St. Petersburg

Russia has frozen bank accounts of the Finnish diplomatic missions in the country, Helsingin Sanomat reports, citing the Finnish Foreign Ministry.

“The Foreign Ministry confirms that bank accounts of Finland’s diplomatic missions have been frozen and cannot be used. The situation is serious, the issue is investigated,” the statement reads.

The missions in question are Finland’s embassy in Moscow and consulate general in St. Petersburg.

On 1 May, Helsingin Sanomat reported that Finland and the US were discussing a bilateral defence agreement that would allow the Pentagon to use Finnish military bases and house weapons in the country.

The document will also make it possible for the US to construct new infrastructure facilities in Finland. Nuclear weapons will not be covered by the envisioned agreement.