

# Finland Closes Border Crossings with Russia Amid Migrant Influx

In a significant move, **Finland** has closed four of its nine border crossings with **Russia** to prevent an influx of Middle Eastern and African migrants. This decision comes amid accusations that Russia is facilitating the flow of migrants to Finland as a form of **hybrid warfare** (1,2,3,4,5).

## The Migrant Influx

The Finnish Border Guard reported that migrants arriving in recent days mainly came from **Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Turkey, and Somalia**. Many of these individuals arrived on bicycles provided and sold to them. Approximately 280 third-country migrants have arrived in Finland from Russia since September (1,2,3).

> "It is clear that these people are helped and they are also being escorted or transported to the border by border guards," said Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo (6).

## The Political Backdrop

The decision to close the border crossings is seen against the backdrop of Finland's recent **NATO membership** and a new bilateral defense agreement with the United States. Finnish President Sauli Niinistö linked Russia's actions to Finland's NATO membership, suggesting that Moscow may be retaliating against Finland for joining the Western military alliance (1,2,3,4).

> "I don’t see the border traffic ending in any other way than with very clear Finnish action," Niinistö stated (3).

Russian officials, including spokesperson Maria Zakharova and Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, have dismissed Niinistö's claims as groundless and expressed regret over the deterioration of bilateral relations (3,4).

## International Reactions

The European Union has shown support for Finland's move. European Commission President **Ursula von der Leyen** criticized Russia's instrumentalization of migrants, calling it "shameful" (5).

> "Russia's instrumentalization of migrants is shameful," said von der Leyen (5).

Meanwhile, other countries sharing borders with Russia, such as **Norway** and **Estonia**, are also prepared to take similar actions if necessary (5).

## The Humanitarian Perspective

Despite the political tensions, the Finnish Refugee Council emphasizes the importance of respecting the right to seek refuge, regardless of the applicants' origin or how they accessed the border (3,4).

> "Finland still has a duty under international treaties and EU law to allow asylum seekers to seek protection," said Finland's ombudsman for non-discrimination (2).

## The Road Ahead

The closure of the border crossings and the accusations against Russia have heightened tensions between the two countries. The situation could potentially escalate if more asylum seekers continue to arrive at the Finnish-Russian border. The international community will be closely monitoring the situation, as it not only impacts Finland and Russia but also sets a precedent for how countries handle migration and border control in the face of geopolitical tensions.

<h1>Finland Closes Border Crossings with Russia Amid Migrant Influx</h1>
<p>In a significant move, <strong>Finland</strong> has closed four of its nine border crossings with <strong>Russia</strong> to prevent an influx of Middle Eastern and African migrants. This decision comes amid accusations that Russia is facilitating the flow of migrants to Finland as a form of <strong>hybrid warfare</strong> (1,2,3,4,5).</p>
<h2>The Migrant Influx</h2>
<p>The Finnish Border Guard reported that migrants arriving in recent days mainly came from <strong>Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Turkey, and Somalia</strong>. Many of these individuals arrived on bicycles provided and sold to them. Approximately 280 third-country migrants have arrived in Finland from Russia since September (1,2,3).</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"It is clear that these people are helped and they are also being escorted or transported to the border by border guards," said Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo (6).</p>
</blockquote>
<h2>The Political Backdrop</h2>
<p>The decision to close the border crossings is seen against the backdrop of Finland's recent <strong>NATO membership</strong> and a new bilateral defense agreement with the United States. Finnish President Sauli Niinistö linked Russia's actions to Finland's NATO membership, suggesting that Moscow may be retaliating against Finland for joining the Western military alliance (1,2,3,4).</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"I don’t see the border traffic ending in any other way than with very clear Finnish action," Niinistö stated (3).</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Russian officials, including spokesperson Maria Zakharova and Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, have dismissed Niinistö's claims as groundless and expressed regret over the deterioration of bilateral relations (3,4).</p>
<h2>International Reactions</h2>
<p>The European Union has shown support for Finland's move. European Commission President <strong>Ursula von der Leyen</strong> criticized Russia's instrumentalization of migrants, calling it "shameful" (5).</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"Russia's instrumentalization of migrants is shameful," said von der Leyen (5).</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Meanwhile, other countries sharing borders with Russia, such as <strong>Norway</strong> and <strong>Estonia</strong>, are also prepared to take similar actions if necessary (5).</p>
<h2>The Humanitarian Perspective</h2>
<p>Despite the political tensions, the Finnish Refugee Council emphasizes the importance of respecting the right to seek refuge, regardless of the applicants' origin or how they accessed the border (3,4).</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"Finland still has a duty under international treaties and EU law to allow asylum seekers to seek protection," said Finland's ombudsman for non-discrimination (2).</p>
</blockquote>
<h2>The Road Ahead</h2>
<p>The closure of the border crossings and the accusations against Russia have heightened tensions between the two countries. The situation could potentially escalate if more asylum seekers continue to arrive at the Finnish-Russian border. The international community will be closely monitoring the situation, as it not only impacts Finland and Russia but also sets a precedent for how countries handle migration and border control in the face of geopolitical tensions.</p>


The Guardian

Finland to close some border crossings with Russia after rise in asylum seekers

Rise in asylum seekers from Russia is Kremlin act of revenge, says Finnish president

Newsweek

Migrant Trouble at EU Borders Blamed on Russia

Reuters

Finland to place barriers on Russian border at midnight to stem migrant inflow

New York Post

Finland shuts down multiple border crossings to stop migrants coming from Russia: PM Petteri Orpo

Breitbart

Finland Accuses Russia of Weaponising Migration, Closes Border Crossings

Finland

Russia

Migration

Border Control

NATO

Asylum Seekers

Hybrid Warfare

Finland has closed four border crossings with Russia to stem the flow of migrants, amid accusations of Russia weaponizing migration as a form of hybrid warfare.

Finland Closes Border Crossings with Russia Amid Migrant Influx

Newsletter

Stay Connected