(By Kirill Krivosheyev, Pavel Tarasenko and Ivan Safronov. Kommersant, Aug. 24, 2016, p. 1. Condensed text:) is prepared to work on improving relations with Russia, but fears the latter’s unpredictability and new similar to the annexation of Crimea [see Current Digest, Vol. 66, No. 12, pp. 3 - 11].. . . ... security is based on four principles: An independent defense system, integration and partnership with West, effective working relations with Russia and efficient functioning of international organizations, Finnish President Sauli Niinisto said yesterday, speaking at a meeting with Finnish ambassadors. [Finnish] Foreign Minister Timo Soini made similar remarks at the same event, condemning Moscow for its actions regarding Ukraine. We cannot and do not want to turn away from But at the same time, let’s be honest: Its actions in Crimea violated European regulations, he said. ... reacted to Russia’s actions by expanding military cooperation with partner countries. It became known earlier that Finnish Defense Ministry is preparing a framework agreement with US. said that it will not contain an obligation to provide military assistance in case of external as official NATO membership would stipulate. [The agreement] would cover areas where we already work together, like military training, information sharing and research, [Finnish] Defense Minister Jussi Niinisto told Reuters. document is slated to be signed in the fall. ... We are always concerned when something happens near our borders, especially when an agreement is being signed with US - a country that considers us not just a threat, but an enemy. There’s an old saying: friend of my enemy is my enemy, Leonid Kalashnikov, first deputy chairman of State Duma’s international affairs committee, told Kommersant. The state must respond to such unfriendly steps toward Russia. He added that [such a response] could mean consolidating Russian military presence along border [with Finland]. ... a Kommersant source close to Russian General Staff commented that Finnish authorities have expressed interest in cooperating with US before; moreover, exchanging information and intelligence between two countries is not a threat to Kommersant’s source says that both [Russia’s] Western Military District and Baltic Fleet are capable of that Russian territory is secure and defending national interests. ... According to Arkady Moshes, Russia program director at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs, the agreement between and US is unlikely to contain clauses that would fundamentally alter [current] situation, but overall, [the agreement] confirms that is abandoning old model and four principles that President Niinisto listed in his speech yesterday. Currently, some in doubt that it is possible to have normal relations with Russia, or that European Union is capable of ensuring European security. That is why they are now searching for additional [security] mechanisms, and boosting Finland’s military cooperation with US and NATO, as well as with other northern countries, Kommersant’s source explained. ... At same time, expert does not think that would seriously consider joining NATO in near future. [Finnish] society is actively debating that issue, but it is more hypothetical in nature. official position remains cautious: The country should have option of joining Mr. Moshes said. ... Moscow, for its part, has repeatedly warned of negative consequences of such a move. Finland joining NATO won’t cardinally change anything for us, but it would substantially worsen the situation for Finland. After all, country would become a target of a retaliatory strike in case of NATO aggression, Federation Council member Vladimir Dzhabarov told Kommersant yesterday. He did add, however, that Finland is being pressured, but there are no signs that it is in a rush to join NATO. According to an April poll conducted by Yle, only 22% of Finns support joining the alliance, while 55% are against. ... Finland will always be suspicious and skeptical of Russia, Magnus Christiansson, an expert with Swedish Military Academy, told Kommersant. However, right now Finnish president is trying to balance between maintaining good relations with Moscow and preparing for unfriendly actions from it. When it comes right down to it, Mr. Christiansson said, Helsinki is in same position as Baltic states and Poland, which are more vocal than all other EU countries when it comes to accusing Russia of pursuing an aggressive foreign policy.