Allegations of smuggling: Finland keeps its border with Russia closed – indefinitely

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Closed border crossing between Finland and Russia

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Lauri Heino/dpa

Finland wants to keep its border with Russia closed indefinitely: "The decision will remain in force until further notice, but not longer than necessary," said the government in Helsinki. In addition, "the maritime border crossings in Haapasaari, the port of Nuijamaa and Santio will be closed to recreational shipping from April 15" in order to prevent "the instrumentalized migration from spreading to maritime traffic."

Finland closed its 1,340-kilometer-long border with Russia in mid-December due to a rapid increase in migration. Helsinki accuses Moscow of deliberately smuggling people to the border in order to trigger a migration crisis in Finland. Russia denies the allegations. Finland has extended the border closure several times, the last extension would have expired on April 14th.

From April 15, asylum applications can only be submitted at sea or airport border crossing points other than those mentioned.

According to Finnish authorities, opening the border could pose a threat to national security and public order. "We have not seen anything this spring that would lead us to conclude that the situation has changed significantly," explained Interior Minister Mari Rantanen. According to her, hundreds or possibly thousands of people remain on the Russian side of the border.

Finland joined NATO in April 2023. The northern European country applied for accession as a result of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine that began in February 2022. Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin said at the end of last year that Finland and Russia had previously had "no disputes" and that all territorial issues had been "resolved a long time ago." Finland's accession to NATO will now create "problems."

sol/AFP