Finland to close half of its border crossing points with Russia

2023-11-16 13:55:51

Finland will close half of its border crossing points with Russia during the night of Friday November 17 to Saturday November 18, accusing Moscow of letting undocumented migrants cross the border, the government announced on Thursday.

“The government has taken the decision to close the Vaalimaa, Nuijamaa, Imatra and Niirala crossing points on the border between Finland and Russia”said Interior Minister Mari Rantanen during a press conference.

The Finnish government warned on Tuesday that it was considering closing its border with Russia, suspecting Moscow of trying to destabilize the country which joined NATO in April. “We have prepared for different kinds of actions, malicious acts on the part of Russia, so the situation is not a surprise”declared Prime Minister Petteri Orpo.

Increase in the number of entries of undocumented Iraqi, Somali and Yemeni migrants

Finland has seen an increase in the number of entries of undocumented migrants from the Middle East and Africa in recent weeks, particularly Iraq, Somalia and Yemen. “We want this phenomenon to stop, we want border activity to return to normal”added the Prime Minister.

“If the situation spreads to other crossing points and becomes more difficult, we will take the necessary measures”, he added. Finland shares a 1,340 kilometer border with Russia. The Kremlin had promised in April to take “countermeasures” after Finland’s accession to NATO, describing the expansion of the Western alliance as“security breach” of Russia. Finland unveiled a plan at the end of 2022 to build a vast fence along 200 kilometers of its border.