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No plans to reopen crossing points on border with Russia, says Finnish interior minister

Mari Rantanen argued that there was no change in the migrant situation on the border with Russia

© Alexander Demianchuk/TASS

HELSINKI, January 9. /TASS/. Helsinki will not reopen checkpoints on the border with Russia after January 14, Finnish Interior Minister Mari Rantanen told MTV3.

When asked if Finland’s eastern border would remain closed, Rantanen said: "This is the way it should be." The minister argued that there was no change in the migrant situation on the border with Russia, so "there is a risk that Russia will continue such activities if the border is opened."

Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, in turn, confirmed that Helsinki would not reopen the border crossings after January 14. "According to my information, nothing has changed in Russia. I believe that the threat assessment remains the same and highlights the need for further action," he told the Yle broadcaster. Orpo pointed out that the Finnish government was expected to make a decision on the issue in the next few days.

Earlier, the Finnish government decided to shut down all vehicle checkpoints on the border with Russia between November 30 and December 14, 2023. Two crossing points were then reopened but the border was closed once again for a period to last from December 15, 2023, to January 14, 2024, due to a renewed influx of migrants from third countries.

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said earlier that Finland’s move to close the border crossings was creating new dividing lines in Europe and Moscow would respond to these actions after interagency consultations.

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