STOCKHOLM, December 12. /TASS/. The Finnish government intends to open the three largest checkpoints on the border with Russia for passengers starting December 14, the Ilta-Sanomat newspaper said.
According to it, the decision will go into effect overnight to Thursday. The Finnish authorities plan to open the Vaalimaa, Nuijamaa and Imatra checkpoints. Prime Minister Petteri Orpo is expected to announce the government's decision on Tuesday.
In the early morning hours of November 18, Finland closed four checkpoints on its eastern border with Russia: Vaalimaa, Nuijamaa, Imatra and Niiral until February 18, 2024 due to the increase in the number of "third-country nationals." On November 22, the Finnish government decided to close three of the remaining four checkpoints by December 23, 2023, leaving only the Raja-Jooseppi crossing open. Later, however, Finland decided to close that checkpoint as well.