Finland is preparing to completely close its border with Russia on the night of November 22.
This was reported by the Finnish publication Iltalehti, citing a source.
Why Finland is closing its border with Russia
According to information, the Finnish government may today decide to close the remaining checkpoints on the border with Russia.
The Salla, Raja-Jooseppi, Vartius and Kuusamo checkpoints are expected to be closed on the night of November 22.
They remain open at this time. The Vartius RCMP was closed on Saturday evening and reopened on Sunday morning. Also on Sunday, military personnel arrived at the Vartius checkpoint to help border guards who are erecting a temporary barrier there.
On the night of November 18, Finland closed 4 checkpoints on the eastern border – Niirala, Imatra, Vaalimaa and Nuijamaa. The checkpoint operation has been suspended until February 18 next year.
According to the head of the Finnish government, Petteri Orpo, this is how the country’s authorities are reacting to the recent increased influx of refugees from Iraq, Somalia, Syria and other countries to the border.
Finnish Interior Minister Marie Rantanen stressed that the authorities are ready to take even more drastic measures.
For Russian citizens, the inability to enter Finland may result in a massive seizure of real estate.
Finnish authorities plan until 2027 to allow the seizure of property from owners who are behind on payments or do not communicate.
After tightening restrictions on entry into Finland, paying taxes and bills has become almost impossible, and making bank payments from the Russian Federation is also difficult due to sanctions.
