HELSINKI — Finland will shut its final remaining highway border with Russia as a result of considerations over migration, Prime Minister Petteri Orpo mentioned Tuesday, accusing Moscow of undermining Finland‘s national security.
Finland already closed seven of its eight of the checkpoints along its long border Russia this month following a surge in arrivals of migrants from the Middle East and Africa. The government accuses Moscow of ushering the migrants toward the Finnish border.
“The government has decided to close the entire eastern border,” Orpo told reporters, saying the country faced an “exceptional” situation.
“We don’t settle for any try and undermine our nationwide safety,” he mentioned.
Finnish authorities say about 900 migrants crossed the border from Russia this month, considerably greater than regular. It has accused Russia of making an attempt to create a migration disaster in Finland following the Nordic nation’s entry into NATO this yr.
Interior Minister Mari Rantanen mentioned the final border crossing for car visitors that is still open, Raja-Jooseppi in Finland‘s Arctic north, would shut at midnight Wednesday.
PHOTOS: Finland plans to shut its whole border with Russia over migration considerations
A railway crossing between the 2 nations stays open however for cargo visitors solely.
