29 ноября 2023 — 14:00
According to the Prime Minister of the Republic Petteri Orpo, all checkpoints on the border with Russia will be closed from November 30, reports TASS with reference to the portal Yle. The checkpoints will work for freight transport, the message says.
At a press conference on the situation on the eastern border of Finland, Orpo said that the last working checkpoint on the border with the Russian Federation "Raya-Jooseppi" ("Lotta" from Russia) will be closed. All checkpoints on the border with the Russian Federation will be closed from November 30 to December 13.
Citizens who want to apply for asylum in the republic can do so at ports and airports.
At the same time, the representative of the border service Matti Sarasmaa clarified that the railway connection between Finland and Russia will continue.
Recall that during November, checkpoints on the border of Russia and Finland were gradually closed. At the moment, only one checkpoint is working. It is located in Murmansk beyond the Arctic Circle.
The Finnish government explains its decision by the need to ensure national security due to the influx of migrants. In addition, the Finnish authorities say that the closure of the border can be extended if necessary.