OFFICIALS from Finland and Denmark reported that the diplomatic bank accounts of both countries in Russia had been frozen.
The Kremlin suspended the bank accounts of the Finnish Embassy in Moscow and the Consulate General in St. Petersburg at the end of April.
The move disrupted money flow and prompted their embassies to use cash to pay for their bills and rent.
It did not, however, affect salary payments to staff and there was no risk of the closure of Finland’s diplomatic missions in Russia.
Kremlin said the decision was a response to what it called the unfriendly acts of “the collective West,” including Finland.
Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the measure was a response to similar steps allegedly taken by Helsinki.
Zakharova said the Russian missions have access to their accounts with only one bank in Finland which she claims violates international rules on diplomatic missions.
Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto said Finland has sent a diplomatic note to Russia and is waiting for an official explanation for the freezing of accounts.
Haavisto slammed Russia for overreacting and linked the decision to the EU sanctions imposed against Moscow.
He added that other EU countries have experienced similar problems with payment transactions in Russia.
The suspension comes as Moscow’s ties with Europe deteriorate over the war in Ukraine.
