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Finnish PM warned about possible closure of entire border with Russia

Petteri Orpo noted that if such a scenario were to materialize, Helsinki “will concentrate the asylum center in another place, not on the eastern border”

STOCKHOLM, November 26. /TASS/. Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo has warned that his country may close the entire border with Russia if it deems it necessary.

"If necessary, Finland will close the eastern border, all of its crossing points and will leave a checkpoint for asylum seekers in another place, not on the eastern border," the Yle broadcaster quoted him as saying. "You will be able to file an application for asylum at the Helsinki airport or at seaports, but not on the eastern border," he said when asked where asylum seekers could lodge application in case the border with Russia is closed.

Finland shut down four crossing points on the eastern border with Russia (Vaalimaa, Nuijamaa, Imatra and Niirala) on the night of November 17 to 18 due to what it described as the influx of third-country citizens. On November 22, the Finnish government made a decision to close three out of the four remaining crossings on the border with Russia until December 23, 2023.

Thus, Raya-Jooseppi (Lotta on the Russian side) is the only checkpoint on Finland’s land border with Russia. However, the Finnish authorities do not rule our that this crossing could be closed too if the influx of illegal migrants does not stop.

Earlier, Finnish Ambassador to Russia Antti Helantera informed the Russian foreign ministry about his country’s decision to shut down border checkpoints.

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