The Finnish authorities have decided to extend the closure of the border with Russia until April 14. This is stated in the message from the Ministry of the Interior of the republic.
“The State Council decided that land border crossings between Finland and Russia will be closed until April 14, 2024,” the statement said.
The Ministry of the Interior considers the decision “necessary and proportionate”, since there is a “serious threat to national security and public order” associated with illegal migration. The agency believes there is a chance this phenomenon will resume when the border opens.
In early February, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said it was impossible to open border checkpoints with the Russian Federation and called the situation on the border “very serious and alarming.” According to him, there are thousands of people near the border who are allegedly planning to enter the republic illegally.
- On November 24, 2023, the Finnish authorities announced the temporary closure of all checkpoints on the border with Russia, except for the Raya-Joosep checkpoint (on the Russian side, Lotta). The Finnish side previously accused Moscow of the growing influx of migrants. On November 28, it was announced that the Raya-Joosep point would remain closed for two weeks.
- On December 14, work at two checkpoints (Vaalimaa (Torfyanovka) and Niirala (Vyartsilya)) resumed, but a day later in Helsinki they decided to close them for a month. In January, Finland decided to extend the closure of the border with Russia for another month.
Author:
Anastasia Marina
Source: RB
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