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Moscow rejects Finland’s accusations against Russian border guards — Kremlin spokesman

Finland closed four crossing points on the border with Russia (Vaalimaa, Nuijamaa, Imatra and Niirala) on the night of November 17 to 18

MOSCOW, November 20. /TASS/. Moscow does not accept Helsinki’s accusations against Russian border guards because they play things by the book, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

"I would prefer not to comment here. We don’t accept such accusations. Naturally, border crossings are used by the people who have the legal right to cross the border. In this regard, our border guards follow all the related guidelines," he noted, commenting on Finland’s allegations that Russian border guards were facilitating the influx of migrants into the country by allowing them to reach the border and preventing them from going back.

Border crossings closure

Finland closed four crossing points on the border with Russia (Vaalimaa, Nuijamaa, Imatra and Niirala) on the night of November 17 to 18. According to Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, the goal was to respond to the inflow of "citizens from third countries" to Finland’s eastern border, which had increased recently. The country’s Interior Minister Mari Rantanen explained that the decision would remain in effect until February 18, 2024.

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova blamed Finland for creating new dividing lines in Europe. She added that Russian state agencies would hold consultations to decide how to respond.

Meanwhile, the Finnish newspaper Iltalehti has reported, citing sources, that the country’s authorities plan to close the entire border with Russia on the night from Tuesday to Wednesday.

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