Finland reopens two border crossings with Russia
Finland announced the reopening of two border crossings with Russia on Tuesday. Head of government Petteri Orpo said in Helsinki that it would now be examined whether the situation at the border had improved. Finland had closed its border completely at the end of November in response to an increasing number of migrants who had come to Finland from Russia in recent months.
Helsinki accuses Moscow of trying to destabilize Finland by smuggling people. Orpo has now said that the south-eastern crossings in Vaalimaa and Niirala will reopen on Thursday. Referring to the arrival of migrants, he said: "If the phenomenon continues, we will close these crossings again."
Russia and Finland share a land border of around 1300 kilometers. Relations between the two countries have deteriorated significantly since the start of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine in February 2022. In April, Finland joined Nato after decades of neutrality in the alliance. Moscow condemned joining the military alliance as an "attack on Russia's security".
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The reopening of border crossings at Vaalimaa and Niirala between Finland and Russia is a move initiated by Finland, as the Head of Government Petteri Orpo announced. However, Orpo warned that these crossings may be closed again if the arrival of migrants continues.
Source: www.ntv.de
