Following tensions regarding asylum seekers, Finland locks its entire border with Russia.

Following weeks of hostilities between the two nations over asylum seekers which Helsinki has described as Moscow’s hybrid operation. Finland has declared that it is temporarily sealing its entire border with Russia.
The Finnish government announced on Tuesday that it would close Raja-Jospin, its final border crossing point with Russia, on Wednesday night with only a day’s warning.

Following the suspension of its eight other crossing sites, this atypical action means that the whole 830-mile land border between Finland and Russia will be blocked until December 13.

Petteri Oro, the prime minister of Finland, announced the action by saying, This is Russia’s influence operation and we do not accept it. Mari Ramtane, the minister of the interior, declared: A Russian hybrid operation is aimed at Finland.” The issue at hand is one of national security.

Oro stated on Monday that despite the closures, more people were traveling via Russia to reach Finland, according to information Finland had received suggesting Russian authorities were assisting asylum seekers in reaching the border. Oro stated, This is an organized activity, not a true emergency.

Jens Stoltenberg, the secretary general of NATO, stated in a speech in Brussels that Russia was attempting to exert pressure on its neighbors by using migration as an additional tool.