Finland extends Russian border closure ‘until further notice’ after migrant flood

Finland closed the border in mid-December after nearly 1,000 migrants arrived without a visa through its border crossings with Russia since August

It has since extended the closure several times, with the last extension set to expire on April 14

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Migrants arrive at the Vaalimaa border check point between Finland and Russia. Finland closed the border in mid-December after nearly 1,000 migrants arrived without a visa through its border crossings with Russia since August. Photo: Reuters

Published: 10:35pm, 4 Apr 2024Updated: 12:15am, 5 Apr 2024

Finland on Thursday said it would extend its border closure with Russia “until further notice”, after it was shut in response to a surge in migrant crossings.

Finland, which joined the Nato military alliance following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, says the surge in asylum seekers has been orchestrated by Russia, a charge that Moscow has denied.

The two neighbours share a 1,340km (830-mile) border.

The Nordic country closed the border in mid-December after nearly 1,000 migrants had arrived without a visa through its border crossings with Russia since August.

Finland has since extended the closure several times, with the last extension set to expire on April 14.

Finnish border guards walk at Vaalimaa border check point between Finland and Russia. The two neighbours share a 1,340km (830-mile) border. Photo: AP

“The decision will remain in force until further notice, but no longer than is necessary,” the government said in a statement on Thursday.