"The border crossings of Vaalimaa, Nuijamaa, Imatra and Niirala will be closed from November 18, 2023," the Finnish Cabinet of Ministers said in a statement.
It is noted that the checkpoints will be closed until February 18, 2024.
According to the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Finland Mari Rantanen, the closure of border crossings on the eastern border will stop illegal entry into the territory of the state. She noted that the authorities are ready for more decisive measures if necessary.
"The submission of applications for international protection, i.e. asylum, on the land border between Finland and Russia is valid at the Vartius and Salla checkpoints," the Cabinet added.
Earlier, the press secretary of the Russian president, Dmitry Peskov, said that Moscow deeply regrets that Helsinki decided to restrict traffic on the border with the Russian side.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that Russia hopes that Finland will abandon the idea of completely closing the border between the countries.