Finland is seeing more and more asylum seekers from third countries arriving through border crossings with Russia. “Their numbers have increased significantly in a short time,” said Interior Minister Mari Rantanen. He also promised measures.
Finland shares a border of more than 1,300 kilometers with Russia. That is also one of the external borders of the European Union. Minister Rantanen says that a proposal is being drawn up to act more effectively in the event of problems at the border. The authorities could then be given more powers to restrict border traffic or close border crossings.
Finland announced on Tuesday that around sixty asylum seekers had arrived via Russia since Monday morning. According to Rantanen, the Russian authorities are applying a new policy and are now also allowing asylum seekers through without valid papers.
Prime Minister Petteri Orpo lashed out at Russia at a press conference. There, the authorities would help the asylum seekers with their journey to Finland. “It is clear that these people are getting help. They are also accompanied or transported to the border by border guards,” the government chief told the media. Russian authorities have not yet responded to that accusation.
Migration crisis
It would not be the first time that neighboring countries of the EU appear to be allowing migrants to pass on a large scale to exert political pressure. In 2021, Belarus, an ally of Russia, was accused by Europe of deliberately creating a migration crisis by flying in and forwarding asylum seekers.
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Tags: Finland reports significant increase asylum seekers arriving Russia
