Russian paintings detained in Finland due to sanctions - Russian presidential representative

ST. PETERSBURG. April 4 (Interfax) - Problems with the transfer of Russian paintings across the Finnish border are related to the European Union's new sanctions, Russian Special Presidential Representative for International Cultural Cooperation Mikhail Shvydkoi said.

"Indeed, in view of the European Union's latest sanctions, some delays have occurred while crossing the border between Helsinki, as the European Union's outer boundary, and the Russian Federation," Shvydkoi said at a press conference on Monday.

Russian diplomatic employees and officials of Russia's missions in Finland are handling the situation, Shvydkoi said.

"As there are [Russian] things in different countries, our foreign missions in different countries have been engaged in this. Naturally, the Culture Ministry is also handling it. It is also being handled by the directors of museums that offered their works of art for exhibitions," he said.

"Serious and orderly work is ongoing. I'd repeat, it is related to the new package of sanctions," he said.