NATO drills in Finland are provocative, Russia's foreign ministry says

"NATO military exercises near the Russian borders are provocative in nature. Their task is to exert military pressure on the Russian Federation through a demonstration of force," Zakharova said. "The drills ... increase the risks of possible military incidents."

NATO exercises starting on April 26 in Finland and in close proximity to the Russian-Finnish border are provocative in nature, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, told RIA state news agency in remarks published on Wednesday. "NATO military exercises near the Russian borders are provocative in nature. Their task is to exert military pressure on the Russian Federation through a demonstration of force," Zakharova said.

"The drills ... increase the risks of possible military incidents."