Finland Proposes 2028 Border Closure with Russia
The government proposed extending the validity of the Border Security Act until December 31, 2028. According to authorities, the law was developed to combat so-called instrumentalized migration on Finland's eastern border.
Consensus
- Finland's government has proposed extending the closure of its land border with Russia until December 31.
- The extension is based on a law aimed at combating unauthorized entry and instrumentalized migration.
- The threat of unauthorized migration on the eastern border remains high according to Finnish authorities.
- The law's content will not be changed.
- The border closure was initially implemented via government decisions in 2023.
- A formal law came into effect in July 2024, replacing earlier emergency measures.
- The law was previously extended to December 31, 2026.
- The situation has not significantly changed since 2025, according to the Finnish Border Guard.
- The border closure applies to all passenger crossings between Finland and Russia.
Points of divergence
- The official ban on Russian tourists has been in effect since September 2022. — vesti
- The head of the public organization Naapuriseura warned of population outflow due to closed borders. — vedomosti
- President Alexander Stubb stated Finland opposes opening the border with Russia until guarantees against migration pressure are provided. — vedomosti
- The Russian ambassador to Finland stated that the closure has caused a socioeconomic crisis in Finland comparable to the 1990s. — tg_tass_agency
- A Finnish parliamentarian, Aino Turtaainen, called the border closure a catastrophe for the country and its economy. — vm
- Finland increased imports from Russia by 15 million euros between January and April, despite EU sanctions. — vm
- The law is also referred to as the 'law on deportation' and applies to limited sections of the national border. — fontanka
Coverage (8 sources)
- Finland intends to extend the border protection law with Russia until the end of 2028 — ASTRA
- In Finland, it was proposed to extend the deadline for closing the border with Russia to 2028 — Вести
- Finland authorities plan to extend the closure of the border with Russia — Ведомости
- The Government of Finland proposed extending the border closure with the Russian Federation until December 31, 2028, according to the country's Ministry of Interior website... — ТАСС (Telegram)
- Finland extended the deadline for closing the border with Russia to the end of 2028 — Вечерняя Москва
- Finland extends the deadline for closing the border with Russia to the end of 2028 — Коммерсантъ
- Finland extends border closure with Russia for two years — Фонтанка
- Government of Finland approved idea to keep border with RF closed until end of 2028 — Интерфакс