Russia sent Finland a diplomatic note requesting that demonstrations near the Russian Embassy in Helsinki be prohibited during elections to the State Duma. The Finnish outlet Yle reported this on August 22, citing the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, UNN writes.
Details
During the elections, the Russian Embassy in Helsinki plans to open a polling station for Russian citizens. Finland's Ministry for Foreign Affairs confirmed that it had received a corresponding note from the Russian side.
According to the Finnish ministry, Moscow's document requests that security measures near the polling station be strengthened. In particular, Russia proposes temporarily banning demonstrations near the diplomatic mission on voting day.
In accordance with standard practice, we were informed that a polling station will be opened at the Russian Embassy in connection with the elections to the Duma
Russia expects protests near diplomatic missions
Finland's Foreign Ministry has not yet said exactly how it will respond to the Russian note. The final decision on possible restrictions on demonstrations is to be made by the Finnish side.
Elections to Russia's State Duma, the lower house of the country's parliament, are scheduled for September 18–20. Based on the voting results, one representative from each constituency will be elected to the Duma.
According to Russian state media, Russia's Central Election Commission sent similar notices to Russian diplomatic missions abroad. Moscow expects that demonstrations may take place near Russian embassies in various countries during the elections, including rallies in support of Ukraine.
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