Helsingin Sanomat: Finland will close all checkpoints on the border with Russia, except for the northernmost one

Finland intends to close all checkpoints on the border with Russia, except for the northernmost one.

This was reported by the Finnish publication Helsingin Sanomat.

Which checkpoint will remain open?

According to information, the Finnish authorities plan to close all checkpoints on the border with the Russian Federation, with the exception of Raya-Josepi, which is the northernmost.

Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo and Interior Minister Marie Rantanen are expected to announce the decision this evening.

As reported, on November 18, Finland closed 4 of 8 checkpoints on the border with Russia until February 18 next year – Imatra, Niirala, Vaalimaa and Nuijamaa.

The four remaining are in the north of the country, and only two of them – Salla and Vartius – accept asylum applications. The head of the Finnish Ministry of Internal Affairs said then that further restrictions were being prepared.

The Finnish authorities say the reason is the influx of refugees arriving from Russia from Syria, Somalia and Yemen.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation expressed a protest about this, noting that Finland made this decision, which violates the rights of tens of thousands of Russian and Finnish citizens, hastily and without consultation with the Russian side.

The Russian Foreign Ministry called Helsinki’s statements about the aggravation of the migration crisis and Russia’s allegedly deliberate actions to organize an influx of refugees a provocation.