“The Finnish ambassador in Moscow, Antti Hellantera, was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry on April 7,” the Moscow diplomat said in a statement, adding that she had “strongly protested” the confiscation of artworks from Russian museums.
Finland announced today the confiscation of these works in the framework of European sanctions imposed on Moscow. Local customs officials said the paintings, statues and other ancient coins that were seized were valued at around 42 million euros, according to the insurance.
The Russian diplomacy denounced this decision, describing it as “legally arbitrary.” He stressed that “the return of cultural objects that were legally found abroad, within the framework of cooperation between museums, cannot be subject to restrictions.”
The same note added that “Moscow hopes that the Finnish authorities will take a decision as soon as possible to ensure the return of works of art from museums to Russia.”
The Finnish authorities were cautious about the mentioned works, but emphasized that some of them belonged to the famous Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg. The artifacts were returning to Russia, via Finland, after being loaned to museums in Italy and Japan.
