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Finland prolongs shutdown of checkpoints on Russian border until February 11

The Finnish government, in cooperation with the Interior Ministry and other state agencies, will regularly re-assess its decision as the situation in Russia’s border territories develops

HELSINKI, January 11. /TASS/. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Finland decided to prolong the shutdown of car border checkpoints on the Russian border until February 11, the ministry said in its press released.

"The shutdown of the eastern border will last until February 11. There is no option to apply for international protection at ground border crossing checkpoints between Finland and Russia at this point," the statement reads.

The Finnish government, in cooperation with the Interior Ministry and other state agencies, will regularly re-assess its decision as the situation in Russia’s border territories develops, the ministry said.

Previously, the Finnish cabinet decided to shut down all car border checkpoints on the Russian border between November 30 and December 14; two checkpoints were reopened later, but the border was shut down again on December 15, 2023, due to increased migrant influx.

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said earlier that Finland’s decision to shut down border crossing checkpoints will create new division lines in Europe, adding that Moscow’s response to these actions will be developed within an inter-agency format.

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