Finland will introduce new restrictions on the border with Russia

The Government of Finland has decided to suspend the operation of sea checkpoints on the border with Russia from April 15, 2024. This is reported by the Federal Customs Service of Russia.

Traffic on the Saimen Canal through Nuyimaa will be suspended for pleasure boats. Also, the Haapasaara and Santio sea crossing points are closed for an indefinite period.

In early April, Finland extended the closure of its land border with Russia indefinitely, until further notice. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Finland explained the solution to the fact that Russia continues to send illegal migrants to the border.

• Land border crossings on the border of Russia and Finland began to be closed by the decision of the Finnish authorities in November last year due to the influx of citizens of third countries, mainly from the Middle East and Africa, who arrived at the border points from the territory of Russia and asked for political asylum in Finland. According to the law, such applicants cannot be sent back, they must be accommodated in Finland until the procedure for considering their application is completed.
• Human rights activists and a number of Finnish residents, especially those who have relatives in Russia, criticized the decision of the authorities, saying that it violates their rights. The Ministry of Internal Affairs called the border closure a temporary and necessary measure.