Finland keeps Russian border closed for sine die

The government on Thursday decided that the border crossing points on the land border between Finland and Russia will remain closed until further notice, said the Ministry of the Interior in a press release.

Although the government previously extended the closure for two months every time after review, this time the closure will continue for an indefinite period.

The government, however, said that the closure will be no longer than necessary.

In addition, the border crossing points for maritime traffic at Haapasaari, the port of Nuijamaa and Santio will be closed to leisure boating from April 15.

By closing border crossing points for maritime traffic to leisure boating, the government is preparing for the possibility that instrumentalised migration could expand to maritime traffic as spring progresses.

This would be dangerous to people seeking to enter Finland and would burden maritime search and rescue.

As like now, it will not be possible to submit applications for international protection at any border crossing point on the land border between Finland and Russia.

It will only be possible to submit applications for international protection at other border crossing points for maritime traffic and at border crossing points for air traffic.

Based on information provided by public authorities, the risk that instrumentalised migration will resume and expand as seen previously remains likely. If the phenomenon were to continue, it would pose a serious threat to Finland’s national security and public order.

“Finnish authorities see this as a long-term situation. We have not seen anything this spring that would lead us to conclude that the situation has changed meaningfully. In addition, spring will provide opportunities to put more pressure on Finland. There are hundreds and possibly thousands of people close to Finland's border on the Russian side that could be instrumentalised against Finland,” said Minister of the Interior Mari Rantanen.

Instrumentalised migration is one way that Russia can put pressure on and affect the security and social stability of Finland and the EU. The Ministry of the Interior together with other ministries has been looking into alternative ways to put an end to this phenomenon.

An act on measures to combat instrumentalised migration is being drafted. The act would lay down provisions on the conditions under which the Government could decide to restrict the reception of applications for international protection in a limited area on Finland's national border and in its immediate vicinity.

The consultation round for the act has ended, and a legislative proposal will be submitted to Parliament as soon as possible.

Earlier, the government on January 11 decided that the border crossing points on the land border between Finland and Russia will remain closed until 11 February 2024.

The government on December 14, 2023 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.