According to the Kremlin press service, during the telephone conversation the two leaders had a frank and open exchange of views on the intention announced by the Finnish leadership to apply for membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

The Russian Head of State noted that such a change in the course of Helsinki’s foreign policy could have a negative impact on Russian-Finnish relations.

He recalled that for many years bilateral ties were built in a spirit of good neighborliness and partnership cooperation and have been mutually beneficial in nature.

Putin and Niinisto also discussed the conflict between Moscow and Kiev and about the situation in Ukraine.

On the issue, the Russian president shared his assessment of the state of the negotiation process between representatives of the two countries, and stressed that talks were suspended by Kiev which, he said, shows no interest in a serious and constructive dialogue.

The Russian presidential spokesman, Dmitri Peskov, assured on May 12 that NATO expansion does not contribute to security in Eurasia and Finland’s entry into the military bloc would pose a threat to Russia.

Finnish media indicated that Helsinki should make a formal decision on this matter in the next few days.

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