Copenhagen, 16 November 2023 (dpa/MIA) – Finland is provisionally closing four border crossings with Russia in the south-east of the country, Prime Minister Petteri Orpo and Interior Minister Mari Rantanen announced in Helsinki on Thursday.

The Imatra, Niirala, Nuijamaa and Vaalimaa crossings are to be closed in the early hours of Saturday, they said, pointing to a rise in the number of migrants without proper documentation.

Applications for asylum would be accepted at the Salla and Vartius border stations hundreds of kilometres to the north, they said.

The new arrangement is to remain in force until February 18. Rantanen stressed that the move did not signal a change in policy, but was rather a reaction to Russian practice.

On Tuesday, she accused Moscow of allowing illegal transit into Finland. By contrast with former policy, these people were allowed to enter, despite not having the appropriate documentation.

Orpo and Rantanen said there had been a significant rise in crossings over recent days. On Wednesday, 75 asylum-seekers were recorded, more than in the entire previous week.

Photo: EPA