'Gathering of Russian military along Ukrainian border concerning'

The gathering of the Russian military along the Ukrainian border is concerning, said Finland's foreign minister.

"And now also the start of the military exercise between Belarus and Russia is concerning because the Belarus border is there very close to the capital of Ukraine, Kyiv," Pekka Haavisto said in an interview with Anadolu Agency during his visit in Ankara.

"And of course, people start to be concerned about the issue of if something bad happens if the military intervention will happen," Haavisto said. "This will also actually have a negative result in the economy of Ukraine."

Noting that de-escalation of the crisis is "very important," he said: "Minsk Agreements are the only way out of this problem."

Finland doesn't have any preparations for NATO membership

Haavisto said Finland's current security status has been serving them well.

He noted that the majority of Finns have been so far pleased with Finland's close cooperation with NATO without being a member.