HELSINKI: The Finland government on Thursday said that Finland will indefinitely extend the closure of land border crossings with Russia and add several ports to a list where travel from its eastern neighbour is prohibited.
The closure of land borders with Russia was initially implemented late last year in response to a surge in arrivals from countries such as Syria and Somalia. Finnish authorities have accused Russia of using migration as a tool against the Nordic nation, a claim vehemently denied by the Kremlin.
Interior Minister Mari Rantanen emphasized that Finnish authorities view the situation as long-term, citing ongoing concerns and no significant changes in circumstances. The closure, previously set to expire on April 14, will now continue indefinitely.
Finland’s decision to extend the border closure comes amidst strained relations with Russia, exacerbated by Finland’s recent decision to join the NATO alliance and sign a bilateral defense pact with the United States. The move has drawn ire from Moscow, further complicating diplomatic relations between the two nations.
Despite the border closure, Finnish authorities have noted continued arrivals of asylum seekers from Russia, with expectations of a potential increase as spring approaches and temperatures rise. Concerns have been raised over the alleged planning of migration by Moscow to exert pressure on Finland and the wider European Union, particularly in light of their support for Ukraine.
In response to these challenges, the Finnish government has proposed temporary legislation to empower border authorities to block asylum seekers attempting to enter from Russia. Additionally, three ports have been closed to leisure boating to prevent the spread of “instrumentalized” migration.
The Finnish border authority has reported over 1,300 asylum seekers entering from Russia between August and December last year, with numbers surging compared to previous periods.
