Finland closes all border stations with Russia – except one

The announcement from the government comes after asylum seekers from third countries have arrived from Russia at the open border stations in the northern part of the Finnish border.

The government could make the decision after the deputy chancellor of justice Mikko Puumalainen approved a plan to close the border with the neighboring country.

The decision is announced by the Prime Minister Petteri Orpo from the Union Party at a press conference, where Interior Minister Mari Rantanen from Sannfinländarna also participates.

The station that remains open is Raja-Jooseppi.

In recent days, Finland’s border guards have built temporary fences at two of the country’s border crossings with Russia since hundreds of asylum seekers made it to the border, often by bicycle.

The decision came after more than 500 people have recently arrived from Russia in Finland to seek asylum at the eastern border – something the Finnish government claims is part of Russia’s hybrid warfare.

nh2-general