Russia to react if U.S., Finland sign defense pact

MOSCOW, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- Russia will react if the United States and Finland make a deal on joint defense, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Thursday.

"We will be forced to take response measures, both military-technical and otherwise, in order to curtail the threats to Russia's national security that will emerge as a result," Zakharova said at a news briefing when asked about the potential U.S.-Finland defense cooperation.

Russia's specific steps will depend on how far this military agreement will go, especially on the stationing of U.S. troops at a Finnish military base, she added.

It's reported that the Finnish government has confirmed the end of talks with the United States on a defense agreement.