Russia Suspends Gas Supply to Finland After NATO Membership Application

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Hyun-seok] Foreign media reported on the 21st (local time) that Russia has cut off natural gas supplies to Finland, which applied to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

Finnish state-owned gas supplier Gasgrid stated in a press release on the same day, "Gas entering Imatra in eastern Finland from Russia has stopped."

The gas sent from Russia to Finland enters the border city of Imatra, adjacent to Russia, and then spreads throughout Finland. Earlier, Finnish state-owned energy company Gasum announced, "Gazprom notified us that it will cut off the gas supplied to Finland as of 4 a.m. GMT on the 21st."

Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the West's large-scale economic sanctions, Russia demanded European countries pay for gas in rubles. Finland has refused this demand.