Finland to Close Russia's Consulate General Office in Turku

Finland has decided to revoke the license of the Russian Consulate General in Turku starting from October 1, 2023.

According to Yle, the decision was made on Wednesday, following consultations between President Sauli Niinistö and members of the ministerial committee on foreign security policy.

The president and committee agreed that Finland would respond to its easter neighbour's plans by withdrawing consent for the operation of the Russian Consulate General in Turku as of 1 October, according to the release.

The committee emphasised that Russia's closure of the Finnish Consulate General in St. Petersburg was an asymmetric response to Finland's earlier expulsion of Russian diplomats.

The president and committee also discussed Russia's consulate in Mariehamn, the capital of Finland's semi-autonomous islands of Åland.

On July 6, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that in response to Finland's actions, they would expel nine Finnish diplomats and suspend the operations of the Finnish Consulate General in St. Petersburg.

Russia justified its decision to expel diplomats as a response to the policies of the Finnish authorities.

On June 6, Finland expelled nine employees of the Russian Embassy from the country due to their intelligence activities.