Finland keeps Russia border shut until 2028

Finland will keep its land border with Russia closed through the end of 2028 after the government approved an extension of legislation aimed at preventing unauthorized entry, the Ministry of the Interior said.

The government endorsed the ministry’s proposal to extend the law on temporary measures to combat unauthorized entry until December 31, 2028.

“The purpose of the Act is to combat any attempts to put pressure on Finland, strengthen border security and prepare for the most serious incidents of instrumentalised migration,” the ministry said in a statement.

The legislation was introduced amid a sharp deterioration in relations between Finland and Russia following the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Finland joined NATO as the alliance’s 31st member on April 4, 2023. Later that year, in November, Finnish authorities began implementing a phased closure of the border with Russia.

By Vafa Guliyeva