The possibility that Helsinki will completely “seal” the border with Russia in the coming days is visible. The Chief of the Finnish Border Guard, Pasi Kostamovaara, stressed that the complete closure of the border with Russia is very likely.

According to the Ilta-Sanomat newspaper citing TASS, the statement of the head of the Finnish border guard was made when he visited the Vartius checkpoint on the border with Russia. He said the border with Russia may be closed if the government decides to do so. However, according to his words, the situation is so far under control.

Finnish newspaper Iltalehti reported earlier on Monday, citing sources, that the country’s authorities plan to close the borders completely with Russia on Wednesday night. On November 18, Finland closed four border checkpoints on the eastern border – Vaalimaa, Nuijamaa, Imatre and Niirala. In this way, according to Prime Minister Petri Orpo, the authorities thus they react to the influx of third country nationals on the eastern border of Finland. As Finland’s Interior Minister Marie Rattanen explained, the decision will remain in force until February 18, 2024.

The press secretary of the Russian presidency Dmitry Peskov he expressed his regret on the possible closure of the remaining border crossings with Finland. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Finland’s decision to close part of its border checkpoints with Russia “created new dividing lines in Europe”. Moscow’s response is awaited.