Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo has announced that Finland will close its entire 1,340 km border with Russia due to concerns over migration issues.
As AP reports, Orpo announced this at a press conference on Tuesday, November 28th.
Minister of Internal Affairs Mari Rantanen said the eastern border will be officially closed on the night of November 29th-30th, and will remain closed until December 13th.
Finland currently has one more border checkpoint open, located in the Arctic Circle, after authorities closed seven others on Friday, November 24th due to a sharp jump in the number of migrants from the Middle East and Africa.
Finland accuses Moscow of directing migrants to its border, which they deny.
Helsinki claims that the Russian authorities previously did not allow citizens to cross without the necessary documents, but without explanation, they suspended that practice.
In recent weeks, hundreds of migrants have entered Finland through Russia and sought asylum, prompting Helsinki to close border crossings, Slobodna Evropa reports.
Photo: SchengenVisa
