Helsinki, July 19 (QNA) - Finland has announced that it would close the Russian Consulate General in Turku, southwest of Finland, starting from Oct. 1, 2023.

In a statement, the office of Finnish Prime Minister outlined that such a decision comes in response to the closure of the Finnish Consulate General in St. Petersburg as announced by Russia on Jul. 6, 2023, adding that the fate of the Russian consulate in Mariehamn, islands of Aland, is under discussion.

Relations between Finland and Russia have dramatically deteriorated following the Russian military operation against Ukraine in February 2022. (QNA)