Finland has closed all border crossings with Russia.

Last week, Finland closed almost all of its border crossings with Russia, leaving only one open in the far north. However, that crossing will now also be closed, allowing only cargo ships to pass through, according to Reuters.

Container trucks at Finland's Raja-Jooseppi border crossing with Russia on November 26.

Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo told reporters: "The government has decided today to close all border crossings on the eastern border."

In November, around 900 asylum seekers from countries such as Kenya, Morocco, Pakistan, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen traveled from Russia to Finland. This number is a significant increase compared to previous periods when fewer than one person crossed the border each day.

Interior Minister Mari Rantanen added that the new decision will be in effect from November 29 to December 13. Asylum seekers can still arrive in Finland by sea or air, Reuters reported, citing a Finnish government announcement.

On November 18, Finland closed several border crossings in the south bordering Russia to prevent illegal immigration. Finnish officials accused Russia of using migrants to fuel the crisis in Europe and destabilize the country.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova rejected accusations that Russia is weaponizing migration, calling them completely unfounded.

Finland and Sweden applied to join NATO in May 2022, a few months after Russia launched its military operation in Ukraine. Finland officially became a NATO member in April.

Source link: https://thanhnien.vn/phan-lan-dong-het-cua-khau-voi-nga-185231128215117352.htm