The state rail operator of Finland, VR, is suspending freight traffic across the eastern border due to sanctions against Russia, YLE News reported.

VR announced on Saturday that its logistics subsidiary VR Transpoint would suspend the reception of freight trains from Russia at noon on Sunday.

"The continuation of freight traffic between Russia and Finland is no longer possible because of the sanctions imposed on Russian Railways (RZD). VR Group is obliged to comply with the sanctions imposed by the Western countries," VR Transpoint SVP Martti Koskinen said in a statement.

Russian train cars, however, will be allowed to return across the border for the time being.

A day earlier, VR announced that Allegro passenger trains between Helsinki and St. Petersburg will be suspended on Monday.