SIMFEROPOL, November 19 State Duma Deputy Mikhail Sheremet called Finland's decision to close the largest checkpoints on the border a Russophobic policy and called on the Finnish authorities to remember the proverb that “you can live without a brother, but you can’t live without a neighbor.”
The Finnish Cabinet of Ministers previously stated that due to the worsening situation with migration and the uncontrolled arrival of refugees on the border with Russia, it was decided to completely close the border checkpoints in the southeast of the country closest to St. Petersburg from November 18 to February 18, 2024. Four out of eight checkpoints are closed, the remaining open checkpoints are located in northern Finland, only two of those operating — Vartius and Salla — will accept asylum applications. As stated at the Russian Embassy in Helsinki, the decision of the Finnish government cannot but cause concern; the Russian side’s response measures will be worked out.
“It’s a pity that Finland adopted Russophobic policies and destructive Baltic behavior, unilaterally crossing out centuries-old common history, economic and humanitarian ties, unexpectedly embarking on the slippery path of confrontation, forgetting the good folk wisdom: you can live without a brother, but without a neighbor no,» Sheremet said.
According to him, the Finnish authorities are making decisions that are obviously harmful to their country, dooming their people to unnecessary confrontation.
On Friday, European Commission representative Christian Wigand told reporters that Finland has informed the European Commission about measures on the border with Russia, the EC has noted an increase in the number of asylum seekers arriving from the Russian Federation to Finland, is closely monitoring the situation, and is in contact with the Finnish authorities and the border service and together with relevant agencies is ready to help states in protecting external borders. According to him, the responsibility for protecting borders lies with EU member states; they are “better able to determine what is needed for this.” At the same time, the EC representative pointed out the need to respect fundamental rights.