Finland announces closure of last border crossing with Russia

According to Interior Minister Mari Rantanen, the decision to close the border checkpoint will take effect from midnight on November 29 and last until December 13. Last week, Raja-Jooseppi became the last border checkpoint with Russia still operating, after the Finnish government closed the remaining seven.

On the same day, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko protested Finland's decision to close its border with the country.

Last week, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Finland had acted unilaterally by closing its border crossings with Russia. Moscow also sent a note of protest to the Finnish ambassador over the closure of the checkpoints, saying Helsinki had violated the rights and interests of Finns and Russians.

More than 600 migrants have arrived at the Finnish border this month alone. According to the migration agency, the migrants come from countries including Yemen, Afghanistan, Kenya, Morocco, Pakistan, Somalia and Syria.

Finland shares a 1,340 km border with Russia. After being admitted to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in April 2023, the country's border became NATO's common border.