Border with Russia to remain closed for the time being — Finnish Foreign Minister

Finland closed all checkpoints on the border with Russia on November 30 due to surge in cases where citizens of third countries arrived at the border of Finland with the assistance of Russian border guards without documents and demanded asylum.

"For the time being, the border [with Russia] will remain closed," she said.

This issue might be considered again in the fall, Valtonen suggested at the same time.

Border points closure in Finland near the border with Russia

Finland first announced the closure of four border points located in the east along the border with Russia on Nov. 6, 2023.

Several more points were closed on Nov. 22 — only one remained open, but only until Nov. 30.

Finland plans to pass temporary legislation that will allow its border authorities to block the entry of asylum seekers trying to enter the country from Russia, it became known on March 15.