Finnish authorities have once again closed the border with Russia, just one day after reopening two border crossings.
The Vaalimaa and Nuijamaa border crossing points resumed operations on the morning of December 14, but were closed again on December 15 at 8:00 PM.
The closure is attributed to another influx of migrants. According to authorities, over 200 individuals sought asylum in Finland on December 15 before the border was closed again.
The Finnish government has accused the Russian authorities of facilitating asylum seekers immediately after the temporary reopening of the border crossings.
At the end of November, Prime Minister Petteri Orpo announced that Finland would close all border crossings with Russia by December 13. According to him, the reception of asylum applications in the country would only be open at airports and seaports.
Finland has also installed double barriers at border crossing points with Russia to prevent illegal migration.
The Finnish authorities believe that the migrant influx situation "could not have arisen on its own": in their opinion, Russia is assisting these migrants, particularly from Iraq, Syria, Somalia, in crossing the border, thereby creating a threat to Finland's national security. Moscow refers to Finland's statements as provocative.
