Russia demands Finland leave NATO, Bild reports. Moscow denies it, and Helsinki is outraged.

German tabloid Bild reported that Russian representatives sought Finland’s withdrawal from NATO during informal talks on ending the war in Ukraine. Moscow denied the report, while Finnish Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen called demands to limit NATO activity near Russia a test of Western resolve and said they were unacceptable.

Bild’s unconfirmed account also described proposed terms involving Ukrainian territory, NATO limits in the Baltic states, and Ukraine’s non-aligned status. It said Russia was seeking freedom of navigation in the Black and Baltic seas and changes to Moldova’s status, while offering possible steps including withdrawing troops from Transnistria. Finland joined NATO in April 2023 and shares about 1,300 kilometres of border with Russia.