Finland extended the closure of the border with Russia until further notice

Finland has extended the closure of its border with Russia indefinitely, until further notice. Yle reports this.

Ministry of Internal Affairs of Finland explained The solution is that Russia continues to send illegal migrants to the border.

Previously, the border closure was extended every two months. The deadline expired in mid-April.

In February, presidential elections were held in Finland. The winner was Alexander Stubb. Shortly after his election, he announced that Helsinki would not have political relations with Moscow until the end of Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Land border crossings on the border between Russia and Finland began to close by decision of the Finnish authorities in November last year due to the influx of citizens of third countries, mainly from the Middle East and Africa, who arrived at border points from Russian territory and asked for political asylum in Finland. By law, such applicants cannot be sent back; they must be accommodated in Finland until the procedure for considering their application is completed.

Human rights activists and a number of Finnish residents, especially those who have relatives in Russia, criticized the authorities’ decision, saying that it violated their rights. The Ministry of Internal Affairs called the closure of the border a temporary and necessary measure.

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