Russia summons Finnish envoy over property seizure in Helsinki

The Russian foreign ministry summoned the Finnish Ambassador to Moscow, Marja Liivala on Wednesday in protest over the seizure of Russian state-owned property in Helsinki, reported Xinhua, quoting a statement.

The ministry said the Finnish Bailiff Service seized 45 real estate properties in Finland belonging to Russia, adding that some of the properties were used by the embassy and protected by diplomatic immunity.

Russia urged Finland to reconsider the decision, claiming that it violates the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, and the Finnish ambassador was warned that Russia may take retaliatory measures if necessary.

Finland began seizing Russian state-owned properties in Helsinki last week, following a court ruling based on a lawsuit filed by Ukraine's state-run energy company Naftogaz.

The seizure is connected to a previous ruling of the International Court of Arbitration in the Hague, requiring Russia to pay more than 4.6 billion euros to Naftogaz to compensate for assets allegedly lost in Crimea, according to Russian media.