Finland Extends Closure of Russia Border Amid Asylum Seeker Concerns

Finland has announced that it will keep its land border with Russia closed for an unspecified duration due to ongoing concerns about a possible increase in asylum seekers, which are reportedly being encouraged by Moscow.

In December 2023, the Nordic nation closed its 1,340-kilometer (830-mile) eastern border amid a rise in asylum applicants from the Middle East and Africa. Finnish officials have accused the Kremlin of promoting this migration as part of a destabilization strategy—a “hybrid attack” that Helsinki interprets as retaliation for Finland’s membership in NATO.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the Finnish government confirmed that the border will remain shut «until further notice.» While asylum applications can still be submitted at Finland’s air and sea border points, they will not be accepted at the land border with Russia.

The government remarked, “Instrumentalized migration is one method through which Russia can exert pressure, impacting the security and social stability of Finland and the EU.» They expressed that, based on current information, there is a significant likelihood that this type of migration could resume and potentially escalate, similar to past instances.

Officials noted that they will periodically reassess the situation, indicating that restrictions might be adjusted or lifted if the threat to national security or public order diminishes.

According to the statement from the Finnish government, «If this trend continues, it would represent a significant danger to Finland’s national security and public order.»

In the past year, Finland implemented a contentious “deportation law,” allowing border personnel to deny entry to asylum seekers arriving from Russia. This legislation, which can be applied at the government’s discretion, has faced criticism from human rights advocates who argue it could contravene Finland’s international legal commitments.

Finland joined NATO in April 2023, breaking a long-standing policy of military neutrality, an action that has drawn condemnation from Moscow, which has warned of potential “countermeasures.”