"Actually, Finland no longer exists. It is part of the fascist West," the ex-lawmaker and former powerlifter said, according to the Russian state news agency.Former MP Ano Turtiainen pictured delivering a speech in 2022. Image: Juho Liukkonen / YleYle NewsSTT10:50Updated 10:51Former Finnish MP Ano Turtiainen, who moved to Russia last year, plans to apply for Russian citizenship, according to Russian state news agency RIA Novosti.The outlet quoted Turtiainen saying that he studies the Russian language every day and intends to build a new life in the country. His comments were first reported in Finland by Iltalehti.During the interview, Turtiainen criticised Finland, claiming he no longer considers it an independent country."Actually, Finland no longer exists. It is part of the fascist West," he said.Turtiainen served as a Finnish MP from 2019 to 2023.He was elected to Parliament on the Finns Party ticket in 2019, representing Southeast Finland. The following year, he was ejected from the party after he posted a mocking, racist tweet about George Floyd, who was killed by police in the US.After that, Turtiainen founded the Power Belongs to the People (VKK) party, but the group later kicked him out over his support for Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.The former lawmaker also continues to face criminal charges in Finland for alleged incitement against a national group. In addition, he has been the subject of debt enforcement proceedings.Russia granted Turtiainen asylum in 2025.