A mistake ". It is in this term that Vladimir Putin evoked the end of the military neutrality of Finland, during a telephone interview with his Finnish counterpart Sauli Niinistö, according to a press release from the Kremlin.

"Vladimir Putin stressed that ending the traditional policy of military neutrality would be a mistake, since there is no threat to Finland's security," the statement said.

The announcement of Helsinki's candidacy for NATO membership, seen with a very dim view by Moscow, is expected on Sunday.

"Such a change in the political orientation of the country can have a negative impact on Russian-Finnish relations, which have developed for years in the spirit of good neighborliness and cooperation between partners, being mutually beneficial", assures Kremlin statement.

A “direct and direct” conversation

The two leaders also discussed the situation in Ukraine, where Russia has been carrying out an offensive since February 24, Mr. Putin having informed his Finnish counterpart of "the state of the Russian-Ukrainian talks, practically suspended by kyiv, which shows no interest in a constructive and serious dialogue”, according to the same source.

The Finnish head of state, for his part, estimated in a press release from the presidency that “the conversation was direct and direct and passed without annoyance. Avoiding tension was considered important”.

The Nordic country "wants to deal with the practical issues of being a neighboring country of Russia in a correct and professional way", assured Helsinki.

Finland's President and Prime Minister Sanna Marin announced on Thursday that they wanted to join the US-led military alliance "without delay", with a candidacy announcement expected on Sunday.

Moscow had threatened to take "technical-military" measures in retaliation.