Russian diplomat expulsion decision irks Tuomioja

Former foreign minister Erkki Tuomioja has taken distance from the Finnish decision to join other European countries in deciding to expel a Russian diplomat.

"In a country ruled by law, decisions should be based on sufficient proof and not on suspicions," Tuomoja wrote in a social media entry on Monday evening.

He noted that "based on the information I have, I would not have taken this decision." He said he hoped the government has more information.

Tuomioja wrote that President Sauli Niinistö was right in underlining that in the present situation continued dialogue with Russia is even more important.

Tuomioja is now a lawmaker of the Suomen Sosialidemokraattinen Puolue (Social Democratic Party of Finland- SDP).

He served as the country's foreign minister 2000-2002 and 2011-2015.

In an analysis of the decision on Monday, Suvi Turtiainen, European affairs correspondent with the national broadcaster Yle, noted that the decision was difficult for Finland but was "the only possible option".

"A different decision would have thrown Finland, in the eyes of the rest of Europe, to the 'gray zone' between the East and the West," he said.