Finland rejects Russian demands on NATO withdrawal as outrageous

Finland's Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen has rejected Russian demands regarding limits on NATO's military presence in Eastern Europe, calling any mention of Finland leaving the alliance outrageous. Häkkänen responded to a German Bild report alleging Moscow's conditions included Finland's NATO withdrawal and removal of Alliance bases from Baltic states. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denied such demands were made. The minister views these as Russian attempts to test Western resolve, linking them to Abu Dhabi negotiations. Finland joined NATO in 2023 following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, adding over 1,300 kilometers of border with Russia. Bild also reported Moscow's proposals for Moldova's federalization and nuclear weapons withdrawal from Belarus, while Häkkänen urged Western politicians not to yield to Russian psychological tactics.