Media: Finland does not plan to open checkpoints on the border with Russia
The Finnish government intends to maintain the ban on checkpoints on the border with Russia.
This was reported by the Helsingin Sanomat newspaper, citing sources. At the same time, it is specified that the final decision on this issue has not yet been made. The Finnish authorities' decision to close the border with Russia expires on January 15.
According to the sources, the Finnish government's position remains unchanged. The authorities intend to keep the border with Russia closed as long as the Russian "operation" continues.
However, such a decision must be supported by legal grounds.
It is noted that the government may refer to intelligence that indicates that "Russia will allow a large number of asylum seekers to cross the border with Finland if the checkpoints reopen."
As a reminder, in November, Finland closed all checkpoints on the border with Russia due to the influx of migrants.
Finnish President Sauli Niinistö said that the influx of migrants was provoked by Russian border guards and called it "the Kremlin's revenge" for joining NATO.