MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Over the past two years, NATO has carried out a number of large-scale military exercises along the Alliance's eastern flank, bordering Russia.
"This kind of activities have been carried out since 1993," Soini said at a joint press conference with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov.
Finland's "only goal is to strengthen our own capacity and our own defense, it is not directed at anybody," he added.
Russia has repeatedly warned against NATO’s increased military buildup along its border, stating that it is provocative and threatens regional and global stability.