COPENHAGEN, Denmark (Washington Insider Magazine)– Russians with tourist visas could not cross the border into Finland. On Friday, a military mobilization aimed at supporting the Kremlin’s conflict in Ukraine closed one of the few convenient ways to Europe for Russians wanting to leave.
Long queues were reportedly seen at the border checkpoints till midnight. Two bikers who arrived just before 11 p.m. were among the last to enter Finland, according to a report by the Finnish broadcaster YLE from Vaalimaa, one of the key crossing points between the Nordic nation and Russia. Of all the EU members, Finland has the longest border with Russia.
For Russians with visas for the European Schengen Zone, Finland had been the final freely accessible land route to Europe, with the exception of the lone border crossing between Russia and Norway, according to ABC NEWS.
The government cited safety concerns attributed to Russia’s war in Ukraine, the “illegal” referendums that Russia organized in some of Ukraine, and the recent thwarting of the Nord Stream gas pipelines from Russia under the Baltic Sea as justification for its decision, which it claimed puts Finland’s relations with other nations in danger.
Russian nationals can still go to Finland to visit relatives, study, or work. Additionally, political dissidents from Russia may attempt to enter for humanitarian reasons.
In a gesture of support for Ukraine, Finland reduced the number of visas it grants to Russian citizens, including those for travel, to one-tenth of the usual level as of September 1.
Finnish border officials stated earlier this week that they support building a barrier along the nation’s border with Russia because they believe the evolving security situation in the Nordic nation calls for it. The Finnish Parliament must provide its consent before building such a barrier.
The border guards stated that the barrier should be in riskier regions, such as border crossings and the areas around them, rather than throughout the full 1,340-kilometer (830-mile) length of the border.
Norway announced on Friday that it was thinking about prohibiting Russians with Schengen visas from entering. The Arctic border between the Scandinavian nation and Russia is 198 kilometers (123 miles) long. Storskog serves as the only point of crossing.
Justice Minister Emilie Enger Mehl stated, “Changes can come at short notice and we will close the border quickly if necessary.”
