Finland reopens parts of its border with Russia

According to the Fars News Agency International Group, Finland announced on Tuesday that it will reopen parts of its borders with Russia.

according to the website “Politico Finland closed part of its borders two weeks ago under the pretext of increasing illegal immigrants supported by Russia. Finnish Prime Minister Petri Orpo announced on Tuesday. Kurdistan, part of the border crossings with Russia will be reopened on Thursday. This decision will remain in force until January 14.

Orpo said in a press conference: “The border will gradually open.”

Finland closed its eastern border with Russia for two weeks over allegations that Russia was pushing migrants and asylum seekers across the border.

Moscow has repeatedly denied these claims, and the Russian Foreign Ministry has said that Finland’s previous decision to close a number of border checkpoints was provocative.

Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Waltonen said in an interview with Politico that her government hopes to reopen the borders after the wave of immigrants subsides.

Tensions between Helsinki and Moscow have escalated since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, prompting Finland to join the NATO military alliance.

“No one and nothing threatens Finland and this is an extreme measure,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in a conversation with reporters on Wednesday in response to a question about NATO member countries’ plan to deploy their troops on the Finnish-Russian border.

He also warned: “Tensions may increase due to the concentration of more troops on our border.”

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