Road blocked before the closed Vaalimaa border check point between Finland and Russia is seen in Virolahti, Finland on April 4, 2025. LEHTIKUVA
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Finland will maintain the closure of all land border crossings with Russia until further notice, the government announced on Wednesday, citing persistent threats linked to instrumentalised migration.
The eastern border was shut in stages during late 2023 and fully closed in December, after Finnish authorities accused Russia of deliberately directing migrants toward Finnish checkpoints in an effort to destabilise the country.
Helsinki described the actions as a hybrid tactic and a response to Finland’s recent accession to NATO. Moscow has denied the claims.
In a statement released by the Ministry of the Interior, the government said that “based on information available to the Finnish authorities, the risk that instrumentalised migration will resume and expand as seen previously remains likely.” The continued closure, it said, was necessary to safeguard national security and public order.
The term “instrumentalised migration” refers to the use of migrants by state or non-state actors as a strategic tool to exert pressure on another country. Finnish officials believe the surge of undocumented arrivals in late 2023 was coordinated, with individuals arriving from regions including the Middle East and Africa, often without proper documentation.
According to the government, the border restrictions have succeeded in halting the flow of such entries. However, the risk of renewed attempts persists, prompting authorities to continue the closure without setting a timeline for reopening. The government said it would reassess the situation regularly and adjust the policy if conditions no longer posed a significant threat.
The Interior Ministry also confirmed that an emergency law remains in effect, allowing border guards to deny entry and return asylum seekers arriving via Russia. This measure, initially introduced alongside the border closures, grants officials the authority to turn back migrants believed to be part of a politically motivated pressure campaign.
In November 2023, Finnish border officials reported a sharp increase in arrivals without valid travel documents at southeastern crossings. Prime Minister Petteri Orpo at the time stated that Russian authorities were facilitating illegal crossings by people from Russia and other regions, including Syria and Somalia.
Interior Minister Mari Rantanen has consistently referred to the situation as a threat to Finland’s internal stability and has backed strong measures to prevent the reoccurrence of what the government views as an orchestrated security challenge.
The Finnish Parliament is currently reviewing legislation aimed at extending the so-called “pushback” powers, formally allowing authorities to block and remove individuals seeking asylum if they are believed to be involved in hybrid operations orchestrated by foreign powers.
The eastern border spans over 1,300 kilometres and includes multiple official checkpoints, all of which remain closed under the new indefinite policy. The government has not provided a specific date for potential reopening, noting that any decision will depend on security assessments and coordination with border and intelligence agencies.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
