Finnish NATO membership would lead to crisis with Russia - government report

Juha Sipila of the Centre Party is pictured after he was voted to become the next prime minister at the parliament in Helsinki May 28, 2015. Vesa Moilanen/Lehtikuva via REUTERS/File Photo

HELSINKI (Reuters) - If Finland joined NATO it would lead to a serious crisis with neighbouring Russia, a report commissioned by the Finnish government said on Friday.

Membership of the military alliance would strengthen Finland's security but trigger a harsh reaction from the Kremlin, affecting trade between the countries, according to the report prepared for Prime Minister Juha Sipila's centre-right government.