Putin to visit Finland amid regional tensions

HELSINKI – Russian President Vladimir Putin is slated to arrive in neighbouring Finland for a one-day visit amid heightened tensions in the Baltic Sea region.

Putin is to meet Finnish President Sauli Niinisto on Friday at his summer residence in southwestern Finland, a country that shares a 1,300-kilometre (800-mile) border with Russia.

Russia has increased military activity in Eastern Europe, with reports of airspace violations to which NATO has responded with a reinforced presence.

The visit comes a week before a NATO summit which will have security in the Baltic Sea region high on its agenda. Putin warned Thursday Russia would take retaliatory measures to counter NATO’s military buildup near Russia’s borders.

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

Create a free account

The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.

Related Articles