Finland opens its border crossings with Russia… and closes them again the next day
Two border crossings on the Finnish-Russian border, which were opened on Thursday, will be closed again on Friday. – We wanted to see how opening the door slightly would affect the development of the situation – the head of the Finnish Ministry of Interior explains the change in decision.
A month ago, in mid-November, Finland decided to close four border crossings on the border with Russia: Vaalimaa, Nuijamaa, Imatra and Niirala. By deciding to close border crossings, Finland is trying to stop the influx of asylum seekers, which it says was initiated by Moscow. Finnish Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen commented that this was a “crystal clear message to Russia.” In his opinion, Moscow is using migrants to “accelerate the migration crisis in Europe and destabilize its unity.”
Finland closes the border crossings with Russia that were opened the day before. “It’s essential”
On Thursday, December 14, two border crossings on the southern section of the Viartsila – Niirala border in North Karelia (from the Petrozavodsk side) and Torfianovka – Vaalimaa on the Gulf of Finland (from the St. Petersburg side) were temporarily opened. The condition for their opening was to be the reduction of migration pressure by Russia.
However, on the first day, while the border crossings were operational, more migrants appeared at the border with an application for asylum in Finland. According to the Finnish services, there were about 62 people, 50 of whom arrived at the Wiartsila – Niirala border crossing, and 12 at the Torfianowka – Vaalimaa crossing.
– We wanted to see how opening the door slightly would affect the development of the situation. Unfortunately, the practice of the Russian services is continued, says the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Mari Rantanen, emphasizing that closing the border crossings is necessary to control the situation on the border. – There is evidence that the phenomenon of the influx of migrants has begun to grow again and with great intensity. The forces of another country or similar are behind this, she added.
In this situation, Finland decided to close the crossings again. It is scheduled to take place on Friday at 8 p.m. The restrictions will apply at least until January 20.
