05 апреля 2024 — 12:00
The Finnish authorities have decided to extend the closure of the border with the Russian Federation for an indefinite period, Bloomberg reports, citing a statement from the Finnish government, Interfax writes.
"Finland will leave the border with Russia closed until further notice," the agency informs.
The Government has also decided to ban border crossings indefinitely at several ports that have so far been open to international traffic. Thus, from mid-April, the coast Guard checkpoints in Haapasaari, Santio will be closed to pleasure craft, and the port of Nuiyamaa will also be closed.
On November 22, 2023, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo announced that the country would close all checkpoints on the border with Russia, except one, due to the worsening situation with the flow of illegal migrants.
According to Helsinki, the situation on the Finnish-Russian border has deteriorated recently. Earlier, Orpo stated that Helsinki sees signs that the increase in the number of migrants trying to get to Finland through Russia is not accidental, but the result of some "organized efforts."
In February 2024, the Finnish government decided to extend the closure of the checkpoint on the border with Russia until April 14.