The Finnish Prime Minister made good on his threat, accusing Moscow of orchestrating a “hybrid attack” by sending undocumented migrants to the border.
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A threat carried out. After saying it was ready to close its border with Russia on Monday November 27, Finland finally announced that it will close its last border crossing still open with Russia on the night of Wednesday November 29 to Thursday November 30. At issue: she accuses Moscow of orchestrating a “hybrid attack” by sending undocumented migrants to the border. The Raja-Jooseppi border crossing will remain closed until December 13, said Finnish Interior Minister Mari Rantanen.
Nearly 1,000 undocumented asylum seekers, notably from Somalia, Iraq and Yemen, have presented themselves since the beginning of August at the eastern border, 1,340 kilometers long separating the two countries, according to the Finnish authorities. “The phenomenon observed in recent weeks at the border must stop”said Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo on Tuesday, noting that “instrumentalized migration from Russia continued”. “Sometimes decisions are just irrational”for his part reacted Alexander Grouchko, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, quoted by Russian agencies.
Asylum seekers will have to request protection “at border crossing points open for air and maritime traffic”that is to say ports and airports, according to a government press release.
