Finland keeps Russia border shut until further notice

Finland will keep its border with Russia closed, the country’s Ministry of the Interior announced.

The Finnish government has decided to extend the closure of border crossing points and centralize the processing of international protection applications. The measure will remain in effect until further notice, the Interior Ministry said, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

Land border crossing points between Finland and Russia have been closed since December 15, 2023. Applications for international protection are now being processed centrally at air and sea border points located on Finland’s external borders.

According to the Interior Ministry, the government’s measures have achieved the intended effect, stating that “instrumental entry” at Finland’s eastern border has been temporarily halted.

“Instrumental entry is one of Russia’s means of exerting pressure and influencing the security and social stability of Finland and the EU,” Finnish authorities said.

Finnish officials have repeatedly extended the closure of all eight passenger crossing points along the eastern border, citing what they describe as an organized influx of migrants from third countries facilitated by Russia. Helsinki views these actions as “hybrid attacks” and a threat to national security.

By Vafa Guliyeva