Finland unfreezes some Russian funds for tax payments

The Finnish Foreign Ministry has once again granted an exemption from sanctions for the Russian Centre for Science and Culture in Helsinki, allowing it to pay taxes and utility bills.

It has been reported that the frozen funds in the Russian Centre for Science and Culture’s bank account were permitted for use as early as May, Caliber.Az reports citing the Russian media.

"European Council’s sanctions regulations allow for exceptions to unfreeze assets in specific circumstances, such as for paying taxes and utility bills," the source stated.

The Russian Centre for Science and Culture has been situated in Helsinki, Finland, since the Soviet era. Originally constructed in 1957 as a high school, the centre was officially inaugurated in 1977 with a ceremony attended by Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Soviet Union Alexey Kosygin and Finnish President Urho Kekkonen.

The centre remains active today.

Recently, there were reports that Finland is setting up cabins along its border with Russia to conduct interviews with asylum seekers.

Additionally, timber prices in Finland have soared to record levels as a result of sanctions against Russia.