Estonian Interior Minister Lauri Läänemets indicated that Tallinn would not rush to shut the border checkpoints with Russia, pointing to Finland’s recent actions as a reference rather than a mandate. He underscored that migration pressures at the Estonian border have not yet reached a level that necessitates closing crossings. The remarks were shared during a press briefing and attributed to the ministry’s public statement, as reported by RIA News.
“Of course, we are ready to close the border crossings, but we will not do this just to show our effectiveness or for the sake of image”, Läänemets explained, emphasizing Estonia’s capacity to manage a limited number of border crossings even if a temporary influx occurs. His message suggested that pulling the plug on crossings without a concrete necessity would amount to an overreaction and could project a weakness rather than resolve.
The remarks came against a backdrop of neighboring discussions about border controls. In neighboring Norway, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre announced that his government was prepared to follow Finland’s lead and close the Russian border crossing if circumstances required a similar response. This development highlighted a broader regional debate about how Baltic and Nordic countries respond to irregular migration and border security concerns.
Earlier, Finland confirmed that all checkpoints on the Russian border would be closed, with the exception of the northernmost border gate Raas-Jooseppi in the Murmansk region. Prime Minister Petteri Orpo indicated that the closures would take effect in February of the following year. The rationale given in Helsinki centers on safeguarding citizens and curbing the inflow of illegal migrants. Finnish authorities requested additional support from the European border agency Frontex, seeking up to 60 personnel to bolster border security. This operational shift reflects a calculated balance between controlling migration and maintaining essential border functions, according to officials cited in coverage by Newspapers.Ru.
Former Finnish leadership has acknowledged difficulties on the border with Russia, signaling that the challenge remains complex and multi-faceted. Analysts note that the strategic questions extend beyond immediate security concerns to include international cooperation, humanitarian considerations, and the economic ramifications of border policy choices. The evolving situation continues to attract attention from regional governments and security experts who monitor how changes in one country may influence neighboring states.