HELSINKI, Finland: This week, the Finnish government said that due to a high risk of organized migration orchestrated by Moscow, it will extend the closure of the country’s border crossing points with Russia after the current April 14 deadline “until further notice.”
In a statement, the Finnish Interior Ministry stressed that if migrants continue to attempt to enter from Russia without proper documentation, the Nordic country’s national security and public order would come under serious threat.
“Based on information provided by public authorities, the risk that instrumentalized migration by Russia will resume and expand as seen previously remains likely,” the ministry said.
Not long after Finland joined the NATO alliance late last year, it closed the 830-mile land border after more than 1,300 migrants without proper documentation or visas entered the country in the three months since September.
Most of the migrants come from countries in the Middle East and Africa, including Afghanistan, Egypt, Iraq, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen, with most seeking asylum in Finland, a member of the European Union.
Many migrants had valid visas for working or studying or have a residence permit in Russia, which is considered a safe country, the Finnish Border Guard said.
Finland has accused Russia of deliberately ushering migrants to the Russia-Finland border, and the Cabinet of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo has extended the closure of checkpoints on several occasions.
Moscow has denied Helsinki’s claims and accused the Finnish government of refusing to discuss the border issue.
Since December 15, all eight Finland-Russia land border crossing points for people have been closed. Although the southeastern rail checkpoint for cargo trains in Vainikkala remains open, Helsinki said it would close three maritime checkpoints from April 15.
