Petteri Orpo, Finland’s Prime Minister, has announced the reopening of two out of the eight closed border crossings with Russia, as reported by Finland’s Yle broadcaster.
The decision to close the entire border in November was a response to accusations against Moscow for directing asylum seekers toward Finland, an EU nation that joined NATO following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year.
Originally set to expire on Wednesday, these closures will now see Vaalimaa and Niirala reopened, according to Interior Minister Mari Rantanen.
These crossings will operate until January 14, 2024, although Rantanen cautioned that any resurgence in undocumented migration from Russia could prompt their closure before that date.
The selection of Vaalimaa and Niirala for reopening, according to Mikko Lehmus of the Finnish Border Guards analytical unit, aims to facilitate family visits across the border.
However, Russia, sharing a 1,340-kilometer border with Finland, has cautioned about potential “countermeasures” following Helsinki’s shift from its long-standing policy of military non-alignment upon joining NATO.
