Russia | Even a visa ban would not completely stop the arrival of Russians – according to the Border Guard, the number could drop to a third of the current

Now in preparation the current tightening of visa regulations will not completely close the eastern border, says the head of the international cooperation unit of the Border Guard Matti Pitkäniitty.

“If we go with the strictest template, yes [venäläisten maahantulo] could drop to a third of the current level”, Pitkäniitty states.

“Even a hard line does not completely stop border traffic.”

Since mid-September, Finland has been the only land route for Russian tourists to the European Union. At that time, the Baltic countries decided on their own extortions, and the political pressure on Finland increased.

Now, Finland plans to start turning over at the eastern border also those Russians who have a visa valid for Finland or another Schengen area. Here, the exception clause related to the protection of international relations of the Schengen rules is used.

The details of the blackmail are currently being negotiated. They will be influenced by both the government’s political will and the Border Guard’s views on what is practically feasible.

“It sets these exception categories and dictates how much cross-border traffic will be cut in practice,” says Pitkäniitty.

Pitkäniitty expects the details to be clarified during this week.

Long meadow according to estimates, more than half of the Russians arriving at the Finnish border are traveling through Finland to another country for which they have a visa. So it is very important how these people are treated.

It is possible that all of these transit passengers will be denied entry. On the other hand, it is possible that at the border one begins to assess the purpose of going to a third country.

What is also important is what kind of exemptions are given to those who want to go to Finland, for example based on studies, a family member living in Finland or owning real estate.

Pitkäniitti’s estimate of traffic being cut by a third is based on a situation where a strict stance would be taken on these cases as well.

What would remain would be the traffic of people crossing the border with a residence permit.

In public the general point of view in the discussion has been that especially the arrival of tourists from Russia to Europe should be stopped in a situation where Russia continues its war of aggression in Ukraine.

This is justified by the fact that wartime should not feel normal to the Russian middle class while Ukrainians are dying in the war started by the president they voted into power.

However, there is no actual tourist category in the visas, on the basis of which the distinction could easily be made. There are short-term visas of different lengths, which are used by newcomers for different purposes. Even with the same visa, one trip can be pure tourism, while another can be about, for example, meeting a sick family member living in Finland.

“In any case, the purpose of each trip must be assessed individually at the border,” says Pitkäniitty.

Finland already limited the granting of short-term visas to one-tenth of the previous amount. According to Pitkäniitty, old valid multiple-entry visas are no longer valid in large numbers.

“During the corona period, they got a lot old.”

Finland in politics, it has been demanded that a model be taken from Estonia and other Baltic countries. In them, it was decided that Russians trying to enter the country with a visa will be stopped at the border on the grounds that they are a security threat to Estonia. The basis in Finland is therefore different.

Even in Estonia, the decision did not mean that the traffic of Russians to the country had stopped completely. The conditions had already been tightened earlier.

“At the time, it was estimated in Estonia that with this latest decision, about ten percent of the traffic will be lost,” says Pitkäniitty.

Last During the week, the partial suspension of operations ordered by Russia was clearly visible on Finland’s eastern border.

Yesterday, Sunday, 8,314 Russians arrived in Finland across land borders, which, according to Pitkäniity, is double the number compared to a week ago.

In order to cross the border, those who arrive in the country with a visa must demonstrate sufficiently convincingly that they intend to return to Russia.

Common sense and also interviews conducted by the Finnish media on the Finnish side of the border show that many who crossed the border last week do not intend to do so. There are many who crossed the border to avoid getting into the war.

According to Pitkäniity, this will of course be reported to the Border Guard.

“Honestly, we are aware that this happens,” he says.

However, the border guards have little chance of stopping the newcomer if the documents are in order. The treatment must be equal.

“For example, many have to show a return flight ticket. They don’t necessarily use that flag, but in such a situation and in the Finnish legal culture, the burden of proof [suunnitelmasta jättää lippu käyttämättä] we have.”