Norway may follow Finland by closing border with Russia, says PM, Estonia may follow suit

23 November 2023, 03:22 PM

Norway may follow Finland and close the border with Russia, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said on Nov. 22, according to the Norwegian TV channel TV2.

Asked by journalists whether it is advisable to follow the example of the Finns and close the border with Russia, the Prime Minister said that Norway could do so "if necessary."

Currently, the Norwegian authorities are closely monitoring the situation in Finland and Estonia.

Norwegian Minister of Justice Emilie Enger Mehl expressed a similar opinion on Nov. 16, and the next day the same statement was made by Estonia.

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Finland announced on Nov. 16 the closure of four border crossings located in the east along the border with Russia. The restrictions will be in effect until Feb. 18, 2024, but could be extended.

Several more checkpoints were closed on Nov. 22, leaving only one Russian-Finland border crossing open.

Finnish border guards reported that in recent months, a large number of people without entry documents have been trying to enter Finland through checkpoints on the southeastern border.

A temporary fence was being erected at the Vartius checkpoint near the border with Russia, Finnish outlet Yle wrote on Nov. 19.

The Finnish military was sent to help the border guards.

At the checkpoint, some asylum seekers were "pushed" from the Russian border post toward Finland against their will, the Finnish Border Guard announced. The gate was then closed behind them, making it impossible to return to Russian territory.

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