Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said that Finnish officials do not intend to have a political conversation with Russia about the situation at the border, but they are ready to discuss the issue at the diplomatic level. His words were quoted by the TV channel So.
“We are ready to discuss at the diplomatic level. There have been no political talks with Russia since Russia attacked Ukraine,” he said.
The Finnish prime minister emphasized that political contacts with the Russian Federation will not be resumed until the conflicts in Ukraine end.
Orpo had previously stated that Finland plans to send a clear signal to Russia regarding the immigration problem at the border. He accused the Russian side of provoking the migrant crisis.
In response, the Finnish border service reported that negotiations with Russia on allowing migrants to cross the border were proceeding unsuccessfully. According to the ministry, “they did not lead to a solution that would stabilize the situation” and the Russian side insists that it cannot prohibit third-country nationals from coming to the border.
Currently, there is only one checkpoint operating on the Russian-Finnish border – “Raya-Jooseppi” (“Lotta” in the Murmansk region). Finland explained the closure of the checkpoint with the influx of immigrants from Africa and the Middle East.
What’s happening at the border
November 23 Murmansk Region Governor Andrey Chibis entry The region was alarmed due to the influx of immigrants.
According to that wordsArriving foreigners tried to cross the Finnish border, but their actions were stopped. In addition, the head of the region announced that additional checkpoints were established at the entrance to the region and on its territory, and temporary shelter centers were opened for refugees.
On November 24 he reported55 refugees at the closed Salla checkpoint will be transferred to the last open checkpoint, and 200 people will be transferred to St. Petersburg. Buses to St. Petersburg were organized – they decided to stay in Russia. According to the governor, the refugees have all the necessary documents and permits to stay in the Russian Federation.
European Border and Coast Guard Agency Frontex announced It is planned to send 50 border guard officers and other personnel to the Finland-Russia border to ensure border control.
Closing the checkpoint
There are a total of nine checkpoints on the Russia-Finland border. On the night of November 18, Finland closed four of them: “Vaalimaa” (Russian point “Torfyanovka”), “Nuyamaa” (Lingonberry), “Imatra” (Svetogorsk) and “Niirala” (Värtsilä). Three of these checkpoints are located in the Leningrad region, and another is in Karelia.
Thereupon, Russians living in Finland held a rally at the parliament building in Helsinki, demanding the opening of checkpoints, and a signature campaign was prepared against the closure of the checkpoints.
A few days later, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo announced the closure of all points except Raja-Jooseppi. According to him, the aim is to protect the country’s citizens. Checkpoints will remain closed until at least February 23, 2024.
Helsinki accused Moscow of deliberately provoking the migration crisis. Representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, also said that “a fact was presented” to the Russian Federation and that there was no preliminary consultation on closing the checkpoints.