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The Finnish prime minister made good on his threat, accusing Moscow of staging a “hybrid attack” by sending undocumented migrants to the border.
Published on November 28, 2023 10:35 p.m
Reading time: 1 min
A Finnish vehicle at the Raja-Jooseppi (Finnish) border crossing, November 28, 2023. (EMMI KORHONEN / LEHTIKUVA / AFP)
A threat came true. After declaring on Monday November 27th that it was ready to close its border with Russia, Finland finally announced that on the night of Wednesday November 29th to Thursday November 30th, will close its last open border crossing with Russia. Point of contention: She accuses Moscow of staging a “hybrid attack” by sending undocumented migrants to the border. The Raja-Jooseppi border crossing will remain closed until December 13, said Finnish Interior Minister Mari Rantanen.
According to Finnish authorities, almost 1,000 undocumented asylum seekers, particularly from Somalia, Iraq and Yemen, have reported to the 1,340-kilometer eastern border between the two countries since the beginning of August. “The phenomenon observed at the border in recent weeks must stop,” Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said on Tuesday, noting that “instrumental migration from Russia continues.” “Sometimes decisions are simply irrational,” reacted Alexander Grouchko, Russia’s deputy foreign minister, quoted by Russian authorities.
According to a government press release, asylum seekers must apply for protection “at border crossing points open to air and sea traffic,” i.e. ports and airports.
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