The Ministry of the Interior reports that the measures "achieved the desired goal."
The government has decreed that the eastern border of Finland will remain closed. There is no set deadline for this decision – it remains in effect until further notice.
The Council of State decided today, June 4, to extend the border closure and centralize the submission of applications for international protection. The new decree cancels the decision made in April 2024.
The Ministry of the Interior reports that the border closure has achieved its desired goal: the so-called instrumentalized migration at the eastern border has ceased.
Border crossing points between Finland and Russia have been closed since December 2023. Currently, only rail freight traffic is allowed through the Vainikkala border station.
The Phenomenon May Recur
Before the closure of the eastern border, citizens of third countries managed to enter Finland through the border crossing points without the necessary entry documents.
According to the Ministry of the Interior, directed migration is one of the ways Russia exerts pressure and influences the security and stability of Finland and the EU.
Finnish authorities believe that the threat of the resumption and expansion of this phenomenon still exists. This would pose a serious threat to Finland's national security and public order in the country.
The submission of applications for international protection is centralized at the open border crossing points on Finland's external borders for air and sea traffic.
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