Finland keeps eastern border closed as risk of instrumentalised migration “remains likely” | Yle News

The border was shut in late 2023 amid suspicions Russia was deliberately funneling groups of migrants to Finnish checkpoints as part of a campaign of instrumentalised migration.

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Finland’s government has announced that all crossing points on the eastern border will remain closed “until further notice”.

Since shutting the frontier in December 2023, in response to suspicions that Russia was deliberately funnelling large groups of migrants to Finnish checkpoints as part of a campaign of so-called “instrumentalised migration”, Finnish authorities have regularly reviewed the decision to keep the border closed.

Currently however, according to a press release from the Interior Ministry, the risk that “instrumentalised migration will resume and expand” remains likely, if the border were to be reopened.

“If the phenomenon were to continue, it would pose a serious threat to Finland’s national security and public order,” the ministry’s press release noted.

The statement added further that the decision to close the crossing points has had the desired effect.

Finland joins calls for stricter visa policies for Russians

Separately, Finland has joined ten other European countries in calling for tougher restrictions on the granting of Schengen visas to Russian citizens.

In a joint letter to EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner, the governments of Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland and Sweden demanded action from the European Commission.

“It has been deeply troubling to witness increasing numbers of Russian tourists enjoying leisure travel on European beaches and in European resorts while missiles and drones continue to strike civilians and civilian infrastructure in Ukraine,” stated the letter, which was drafted following a meeting of ministers from the signatory countries on Tuesday.

The letter noted that 477,878 Schengen visas were granted to Russian citizens last year for tourism purposes, many of which were multiple-entry visas.

“A restrictive visa policy towards Russian citizens is essential to safeguard the security and integrity of the Schengen area,” the letter further added.