So it is possible to close borders… – Finland, through its Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, has decided to close the main entry points from Russia for at least two weeks. The decision came after an above-average influx in October: a mere 900 migrants. Numbers that, with due proportions, other countries can only dream of. But in the case of Finland, its neighbour is not very welcome in Brussels, to say the least

Finland will temporarily close its sole remaining border crossing with Russia, Prime Minister Petteri Orpo (NCP) announced at a press conference on Tuesday afternoon.

The closure goes into effect on Thursday, 30 November. The measure aims to defend the country from what has been described as a hybrid attack by Russia, by allowing undocumented migrants from third countries to reach the Finnish border.

The decision means that Finland's entire border with Russia will be closed, with the exception of rail freight via the Vainikkala crossing in Southeastern Finland.

Orpo said the decision was prompted by national security concerns.

"Our aim is that the exceptional situation at the eastern border of Finland returns back to normal as soon as possible. We don't accept any attempt to undermine our national security," Orpo said in English at the press conference.

"Russia has caused this situation and is also able to end it," Orpo said.

Interior Minister Mari Rantanen (Finns) confirmed that the border will be shut down at midnight on Wednesday 29 November, for an initial period of two weeks.

Last week the deputy justice chancellor rejected earlier plans presented by the government to shut down the borders, saying the interior ministry's proposal did not address the rights of migrants.

Finland initially closed four checkpoints in the southeast from 18 November amid suspicions that Russia was taking part in a hybrid attack by sending undocumented asylum seekers towards the Finnish border.

When migrants began appearing at border crossings further north, Finland later closed three more checkpoints — leaving just Raja-Jooseppi in the far north of Finnish Lapland remaining open and meaning seven of the eight checkpoints were shut from last weekend.

Rantanen said that the latest closure was an available option because of its temporary and exceptional nature, according to Finnish law.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Finnish government said that during the closure applying for asylum would only be possible at air- and maritime traffic border points.

"As of 30 November 2023, it will no longer be possible to apply for international protection at the border crossing points on the land border between Finland and Russia. At Finland's external borders, it will only be possible to apply for international protection at open border crossing points for air and maritime traffic," the statement said.