Finland Slashes Open Border Crossings with Russia Due to Migrant Smuggling Concerns
In the face of accusations that Russia is facilitating the passage of undocumented migrants to destabilize Finland, the Nordic nation has decided to keep just one of its border crossings open with its eastern neighbor.
Prime Minister Petteri Orpo announced that only the Raja-Jooseppi crossing in northeastern Finland will stay operational, with the remaining three border crossings slated to close from November 25th until December 23rd.
The Finnish government has raised concerns that Russia is smuggling migrants to undermine Finland's stability as a member of NATO, with an uptick in refugees primarily from Middle Eastern and African countries - Iraq, Yemen, and Somalia - over the past few months.
Earlier this month, Finland closed half of its eight border crossings with Russia, but the measures proved ineffective in curbing the influx of migrants. Orpo lamented, "Unfortunately, these measures have not been able to stop the phenomenon."
Finland and Russia share a 1,340-kilometer border, with relations between the two countries deteriorating significantly following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The Finnish government vehemently condemned Moscow's decision to bolster its military presence near Finland's eastern border, seeing it as a direct threat to their security.
Despite Russia's denials of the allegations, the Finnish authorities have tightened their border security measures, even constructing a 200-kilometer-long fence along the Finnish-Russian border to bolster protection.
The escalating tension between Finland and Russia prompted Finland's decision to forge closer ties with NATO, leading to its membership in April 2024. Moscow denounced this move as an attack on Russia's security, which in turn heightened the need for Finland to safeguard its borders further.
In light of these security threats, Finland has proposed a ban on property purchases by Russian nationals, fearing that it could be used for hostile intelligence gathering and sabotage.
The ongoing security concerns have seen the reopening of two specific border crossings, Vaalimaa and Niirala, only under the condition that they may be closed again if the need arises.
- The decision to largely close Finland's border crossings with Russia stems from heightened concerns over undocumented migrant smuggling and national security threats.
- The alleged involvement of Russia in attempting to destabilize Finland through migrant smuggling has prompted Finland to strengthen its border security measures and bolster its ties with NATO.
- The Finnish government is examining potential property purchase restrictions on Russian nationals to safeguard against hostile intelligence gathering and sabotage.
