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3.10.2023 | On 6 July 2023, Russia announced the withdrawal of consent to Finland to operate the Consulate General in St Petersburg as of 1 October 2023.

24.11.2023 | Finland’s Ambassador to Moscow Antti Helanterä visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation at his own request on 24 November to inform on the Finnish Government's decision of 22 November 2023 to temporarily close the border crossing points of Kuusamo, Salla and Vartius.

6.7.2022 | The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has appointed Jukka Matilainen to the post of Press Counsellor at the Embassy of Finland in Moscow. The three-year term will start at the beginning of August.

17.4.2026 | At the presidential session on Friday 17 April, the President of the Republic appointed Maimo Henriksson to serve as Head of Mission at Finland's Embassy in Warsaw and Tanja Jääskeläinen to serve as Head of Mission at Finland's Embassy in Oslo, starting on 1 September 2026.

17.5.2022 | The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation notified Ambassador of Finland Antti Helanterä of their decision on 17 May. Russia has announced corresponding measures also regarding several countries that have expelled Russian diplomats.

27.3.2026 | At the presidential session on Friday 27 March, the President of the Republic appointed the following persons to serve as heads of missions, starting on 1 September 2026: Pekka Kaihilahti, Finland’s Embassy in Budapest; Juha Niemi, Finland’s Consulate General in Hong Kong; and Joonas Heiskanen, Finland’s Consulate General in Shanghai.

12.3.2026 | An OSCE Moscow Mechanism report on the developments in Georgia in respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms since spring 2024 was presented at the meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council on 12 March. It offers recommendations to the Georgian authorities, the OSCE participating States and the international community on how to address problems of democracy, the rule of law and human rights.

20.11.2019 | Prime Minister Antti Rinne will meet the Prime Minister of Russia Dmitry Medvedev in Moscow on 25 November. The key topics to be discussed are bilateral relations between the two countries, trade and environmental issues. Prime Minister Rinne will also tell his Russian colleague about the outcomes of Finland’s Presidency of the Council of the EU.

1.6.2020 | Jussi Palmén appointed as Counsellor for Cultural Affairs to Moscow Ministry for Foreign Affairs Publication date 1.6.2020 9.15 Type: Press release The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has appointed Jussi Palmén to the post of Counsellor for Cultural ...

7.2.2019 | -

25.11.2019 | On Monday 25 November, Prime Minister Antti Rinne visited Moscow to meet the Prime Minister of Russia Dmitry Medvedev, for the first time since Rinne became Prime Minister. The main topic discussed by the Prime Ministers were international relations. Prime Minister Rinne pointed out that the relations between the two countries are as good as they can be under the present circumstances.

4.5.2020 | On 4 May, a report on the special features of Russia’s strategic communications entitled Govorit Moskva – Moscow Speaks will be published in the publication series of the Government’s analysis, assessment and research activities. The aim of the study is to increase understanding of Russia’s strategic communications and shed light on their background and related phenomena.

8.5.2020 | New Ambassadors to Moscow, Washington DC, Geneva, Lisbon and Seoul and side-accreditation to Bangladesh Ministry for Foreign Affairs Publication date 8.5.2020 12.01 Type: Press release At the presidential session on Friday 8 May, the President of ...

14.10.2025 | A recent survey commissioned by Finland’s Embassy in Moscow shows that Finland’s reputation among Russians has held steady for the past three years, but over a longer period it has clearly declined. The most positive attitudes are found among young people, while pensioners are the most negative. An increasing share of respondents are unwilling or unable to express an opinion.

25.9.2025 | At the meeting of the Permanent Council of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) on 25 September, the Moscow Mechanism mission of experts presented their report on violations of international humanitarian and human rights law related to the treatment of Ukrainian soldiers and prisoners of war (POWs) in Russia’s war of aggression. The report examines Russia’s systematic torture, ill-treatment and execution of Ukrainian soldiers and POWs.

7.1.2026 | Finland’s term as Chairperson of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) ended on the last day of 2025. Last year marked 50 years since the CSCE meeting in Helsinki and the adoption of the Helsinki Final Act. The principles enshrined in the Helsinki Final Act are as relevant today as they were fifty years ago because they represent the essence of humanity: the yearning for freedom, cooperation and peace.

4.12.2025 | Opening remarks by the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland Elina Valtonen at the OSCE Ministerial Council in Vienna 4 December 2025.

10.7.2025 | At its session on Thursday 10 July, the Government appointed Sari Rautio as the new Director General of the Euro-Atlantic Department.

18.6.2025 | At its session on 18 June, the Government appointed Pirjo Tulokas to serve as Under-Secretary of State at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. Mikko Kivikoski will continue as Deputy Director General of the Department for Asia and Oceania.

27.6.2025 | At the presidential session on 27 June, the President of the Republic appointed Juha Mustonen to serve as Head of Mission at Finland’s Embassy in Doha and Sirpa Oksanen to serve as Head of Mission at Finland’s Embassy in Zagreb.