Finland Strengthens Military Ties with US, Russia Responds with New Military District

Amid escalating tensions, Finland signs a significant military cooperation agreement with the US, prompting Russia to summon the Finnish ambassador and establish a new military district near the Finnish border.

• Finland has signed a new agreement on military cooperation with the US, granting the US broad access to the area of Finland's long border with Russia.
• Russia has summoned the Finnish ambassador in Moscow in response to the agreement, and has announced the creation of a new military district near Finland's border.
• Finland joined NATO this year in response to Russia's Ukraine invasion, and the new agreement allows the US rapid military access and aid to Finland in the event of conflict.
• Finland has accused Russia of channelling migrants towards its territory in a 'hybrid operation', and has temporarily closed all its border crossings with its eastern neighbour.
• Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Moscow would not leave 'NATO's military buildup' on its borders unanswered.

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