Finland Extends Border Closure with Russia Indefinitely
The Finnish government has opted to prolong the closure of its border with Russia indefinitely, as reported by Bloomberg on Thursday, citing an announcement from Finnish authorities.
“Finland will maintain the closure of its border with Russia until further notice,” the agency stated.
Furthermore, the government has decided to enact an indefinite ban on border crossings at several ports that were previously accessible for international travel. Effective mid-April, coast guard checkpoints in Haapasaari and Santio will be shut for pleasure boats, along with the closure of the port of Nuijamaa.
On November 22, 2023, Prime Minister of Finland Petteri Orpo declared the closure of all border checkpoints with Russia, except one, citing a deteriorating situation with the influx of illegal migrants.
Helsinki has indicated a recent exacerbation in the situation along the Finnish-Russian border. Orpo previously remarked that Finland has observed indications suggesting that the surge in migrant numbers attempting to cross from Russia is not incidental but rather the outcome of some “organized efforts.”
In February 2024, the Finnish government resolved to extend the closure of the border checkpoint with Russia until April 14.
