Brussels. January 1st. INTERFAX - Russia's demands to the United States and NATO to stop the expansion of the alliance are alarming in Europe, Finnish President Sauli Niinisto said in a New Year's address.
"The category of spheres of interest has lost its relevance, said Niinisto, who said that Russia's recent ultimatums to the United States and NATO regarding the further expansion of the alliance are worrying Europe, " Finnish broadcaster Yle reports.
He noted that the EU should pursue a more active policy.
"The sovereignty of several member states (EU - IF), as well as Sweden and Finland, is disputed from outside the union. This makes the EU a party involved in the situation. The EU should not be limited to the role of just a technical coordinator of sanctions," the president explained.
He also reiterated that Finland, if the relevant decision is made, has the right to apply for membership in NATO.
In addition, Niinisto pointed to the current state of uncertainty in the policy of the great powers, the consequences of which are also felt by small countries, and "sometimes especially by them."
On December 17, the Russian Foreign Ministry published a Russian draft agreement on measures to ensure the security of the Russian Federation and NATO member states. It consists of nine articles, assumes the refusal of NATO from expansion, including the accession of Ukraine, conducting military activities on the territory of Eastern Europe, Transcaucasia and Central Asia, as well as from the deployment of medium-range and shorter-range missiles in locations from where they can hit the territory of other participants.
