Russia has sharply increased railway tariffs for cargo destined for Finland, with the hike reaching eight times previous levels for certain routes.
The move specifically impacts nickel transport, a critical commodity for Finnish industrial operations, as Moscow tightens its grip on cross-border logistics.
Instead, he warned against underestimating Russia's capacity to cause self-harm through such aggressive economic policies.
The tariff escalation underscores the growing friction in trade relations between Russia and its Nordic neighbor.
While the measures are framed as a response to Western sanctions, experts suggest they also inflict significant economic pain on Russia itself by disrupting established supply chains and increasing operational costs for its own exporters.
Professor Kari Liuhto, an expert on Russian affairs, noted that the tariffs do not appear to be primarily aimed at punishing Finland.
Instead, he warned against underestimating Russia's capacity to cause self-harm through such aggressive economic policies.