The Finnish government has not indicated any plan to lift the checkpoints at the border with Russia. This stance has been reported by multiple sources within the authorities and echoed by Helsingin Sanomat. (Helsingin Sanomat)
Many insiders say the government intends to maintain the current restrictions as long as Russia continues to employ what officials describe as hybrid operations. The exact meaning of that term was not clarified by the portal, leaving readers with questions about what specific actions are being referenced. Officials have stressed that the overall policy will depend on how Moscow conducts these operations and the impact they have on Finland’s security and border control obligations. (Helsingin Sanomat)
During the current week, Finnish authorities are expected to decide on extending the quarantine measures beyond their current end date of January 14. The likelihood of continued restrictions has grown, in part because a broad discussion on how to secure the country’s eastern border did not take place in January. A large number of ministers were on holiday, which limited the government’s ability to conduct a wide-ranging debate on border protection and related measures. (Helsingin Sanomat)
Historical contesting of border policy is not new. The Border Guard has twice closed the checkpoints in recent months. Initially, automobile checks were suspended from November 30 to December 14, 2022. Although two checkpoints later reopened, the influx of migrants resumed, prompting a decision by the Council of Ministers to extend the border closures until January 14. (Helsingin Sanomat)
On the political front, observers have noted that only one presidential candidate in Finland has publicly opposed maintaining the border closure with the Russian Federation, highlighting a split in public and political opinion regarding how Finland should manage its eastern frontier. (Helsingin Sanomat)