The Finnish government announced on Thursday that it plans to shut down four of its border crossings with Russia.
This decision aims to stem the influx of migrants from the Middle East and Africa, which Finland claims Russia has been directing towards their border in recent months.
Prime Minister Petteri Orpo and Interior Minister Mari Rantanen stated that the closures would affect the southeastern crossings of Imatra, Niirala, Nuijamaa, and Vaalimaa, starting from midnight Friday.
Finland shares a long 1,340-kilometer (832-mile) border with Russia, stretching from dense southern forests to the Arctic’s harsh landscapes in the north.
This border, which also forms part of the European Union’s external boundary, currently has nine crossing points, including one dedicated exclusively to rail travel.
“Operations of the Russian border authorities have changed,” Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo told reporters, adding that the four crossings would remain closed until Feb. 18.
Last September, Finland decided to ban entry for vehicles registered in Russia starting on September 16, Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen announced during a press conference.
“Finland bars entry at midnight. This means that entry for cars registered in Russia will be prohibited,” Valtonen said, emphasizing Finland’s willingness to intensify sanctions in response to the ongoing situation.
It’s important to note that this ban will exempt cars belonging to Russian diplomats and Russian citizens, particularly those entering Finland for humanitarian reasons.
The decision aligns with the guidelines set forth by the European Commission on September 8, which imposed prohibitions on the import of various goods from Russia to the EU, irrespective of their intended use.
This directive, known as EU Directive 833/2014, encompasses items with a total seating capacity of fewer than 10, including automobiles.
