Finland offers NATO its airport near border with Russia

The Finnish city of Lappeenranta, located near the Russian border, is ready, if necessary, to provide NATO with its airport to accommodate a military base.

The statement came from the city Mayor Kimmo Jarva on July 3, according to TASS.

“I was particularly thinking about the airport. It will certainly be ready for operation if the Armed Forces want so,” he said.

Jarva also noted that the progress in the country's membership in the North Atlantic Alliance has given the enterprises of the Etel-Karjala region (South Karelia) a sense of security and hope, as this can lead to large investments in the region.

No negotiations on the handover of the airport with the Defense Forces have yet been held, he said.