MOSCOW, January 10 The border between Finland and Russia will remain closed for a month, Finnish Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Sari Essaia confirmed on Wednesday, the government's decision will be announced on Thursday.
The border between Finland and Russia is closed by decision of the Finnish authorities from December 15 to January 14.
“In this situation, I can confirm the information that was published,” she said in response to a journalist’s question about extending the border closure for another month in an interview with public broadcaster Yle.
Earlier, the Helsingin Sanomat newspaper quoted Sources in the Finnish government reported a possible extension of the closure of the border with Russia by a month.
Finland began introducing restrictions on entry from Russia on November 9 last year amid an uncontrolled flow of refugees from third countries. From November 30 to December 13, all land border crossings with Russia were closed. Finland opened two border points on December 14 for a couple of days, then the government again decided to completely close the border from December 15 to January 14.
A new border decision is expected to be announced on January 11, but the Prime Minister Minister Petteri Orpo and Interior Minister Marie Rantanen already said on Tuesday that the border with Russia should remain closed. Rantanen mentioned some classified intelligence that confirms the continued level of threats allegedly emanating from Russia.
Finnish authorities have repeatedly accused Russia of deliberately sending asylum seekers to the border.
Previously, Russian Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov, commenting on the closure Finnish checkpoints on the border with the Russian Federation, noted that the Russophobic position, which the leaders of this neighboring country have now begun to adhere to, is deeply regrettable. Peskov also emphasized that Russian border guards comply with all instructions, “the border crossing is used by those who have the legal right to do so,” and far-fetched accusations are unacceptable for Moscow.