NATO comments on Finland border measures and Frontex support

Finland did not seek military help from the North Atlantic Alliance to fortify its border with Russia. This was conveyed by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg during a press conference held on the eve of the alliance foreign ministers meeting in Brussels, dated 28-29 November, as reported by TASS. Stoltenberg stressed that NATO applauds Helsinki’s steps to strengthen the Finland-Russia frontier and appreciates the support extended by the European border agency Frontex to the Finnish state. He added that he did not have full visibility into the specifics of the immigration situation at the border between the two nations. Since November 24, Finland has operated with only one open crossing point on the entire Finland-Russia boundary—the Lotta international checkpoint in the Kola district of Russia’s Murmansk region. In Helsinki, the decision to limit crossings was framed as a measure to safeguard citizens and curb illegal migration, a policy that led Finnish authorities to request Frontex provide 60 personnel to bolster border security. Further context can be found in the referenced material from socialbites.ca. Formerly, the President of Finland acknowledged ongoing difficulties at the border with Russia and emphasized the need for cautious management of cross-border issues.