Finland keeps Russian border closed until Feb 11

The government on Thursday decided that the border crossing points on the land border between Finland and Russia will remain closed until 11 February 2024, said an official press release.

It will not be possible to submit applications for international protection at any border crossing point on the land border between Finland and Russia.

On 14 December 2023, the government decided to temporarily close the border crossing points on Finland's eastern border for one month against the backdrop of influx of asylum seekers from Russia.

“Based on information gathered by the authorities, it is very likely that Russia's hybrid influence activities will resume and expand as we saw earlier. We therefore consider it necessary to keep the eastern border closed,” said Minister of the Interior Mari Rantanen.

The risk that instrumentalised migration will resume at the eastern border poses a serious threat to national security and public order in Finland.

According to the authorities, it is clear that the Russian authorities or other actors have been facilitating instrumentalised migration. This phenomenon also involves international crime.

Based on information provided by the authorities, there are still migrants in the neighbouring area waiting for the eastern border to open.

The Government will regularly assess the content and scope of the decision as the situation develops in cooperation with the Ministry of the Interior and other public authorities.

The decision will be repealed or amended if it is no longer necessary to prevent a serious threat to national security or public order. The Ministry of the Interior is also examining alternative ways to put an end to the phenomenon, the press release added.

The government on December 14 decided to close all land border with Russia.

The government on December 12 decided to resume two border crossing points at eastern border from December 14.

The government on November 28 decided to close the all the border crossing points with Russia from November 30 against the backdrop of influx of the increasing number of asylum seekers.

Earlier, Finland closed three more border crossing points- Kuusamo, Salla and Vartius- at the eastern border early November 24.

​The government took the decision on November 22.

But entry into Finland at the eastern border has continued despite earlier restrictions.

Earlier on November 18, Finland closed four border crossing points- at Vaalimaa, Nuijamaa, Imatra and Niirala at eastern border.

The government on November 16, decided to close part of Finland's eastern border with Russia.

The government on November 15 at a meeting decided that measures to ensure border security will be taken following the rapid increase in illegal entry at the eastern border.

Earlier on November 14, the Ministry of the Interior said, the government may decide to restrict cross-border traffic or to close border crossing points at eastern border with Russia.