HS: The Finnish Cabinet wants to keep the border with Russia closed after January 14
The Finnish government will probably not open checkpoints on the border with Russia after January 14. About it reported newspaper Helsingin Sanomat (HS) citing sources.
A decision on whether to keep the eastern border crossings closed or open one or more points is due this week. In this case, the decision must be made no later than 24 hours before it comes into force.
As HS interlocutors clarified, the Cabinet of Ministers wants to maintain a closed regime, provided that there is a legal basis for such measures. In particular, the authorities can refer to intelligence data, according to which it can be assumed that when the borders are opened, Russia will supposedly allow even more asylum seekers to enter the Finnish border, the publication writes.
According to HS, one option being considered is to open the border only to Finnish and Russian citizens. However, the newspaper writes, such measures will only work if the Russian side makes the same decision.
On December 14, 2023, Finland closed all checkpoints on the land border with Russia one day after opening. Helsinki took this step due to the uncontrolled arrival of refugees. The decision is valid until January 14, 2024.
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