Finland plans extension of border closure with Russia
Illustrative photo (Photo: Getty Images)
The Finnish government intends to extend the closure of the border with Russia, reports Helsingin Sanomat.
The government has conducted preparatory work, but no decisions have been made yet. If the government does not make a new decision, the December decision to close the border will expire at midnight on January 15.
According to several sources of the media, the government's position has not changed: it wants to keep the border closed as long as the Russian hybrid operation continues, provided that there are legal grounds for such a decision.
A temporary decision is considered a more likely option than closing the border for cargo transport at the moment. It is understood that the government did not hold extensive debates on the eastern border in January as several ministers have just returned from vacations.
Meanwhile, the Finnish government has not received any information that Russia has changed its policy.
The government may rely on intelligence, stating that if border crossings are reopened, it can be assumed that Russia will allow more asylum seekers to cross the Finnish border for persecution.
Finland closed its borders with Russia
On November 30, the Finnish government decided to close all border crossing points with the Russian Federation. This happened against the backdrop of a large number of illegal migrants who wanted to enter Finland from Russian territory.
As previously stated by Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, the authorities were closely monitoring the situation at the border and might extend its closure.
On December 13, the Finnish government decided to reopen two border crossing points with Russia. However, the following day, due to an influx of migrants, they were closed again.
