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Finland has announced its intention to enact temporary laws permitting border officials to prevent migrants from entering the country via Russia.

Prime Minister Petteri Orpo accused Moscow of deliberately directing migrants towards the Finnish border, an allegation Russia has refuted. He said, “Finland has been the target of instrumentalized migration… Russian authorities have not only failed to intervene in this phenomenon but have even facilitated it.” He further mentioned that a draft law is now undergoing a review process before it is presented to parliament, with the government eager to get its swift approval.

The decision comes after Finland shut all its border crossings with Russia, spanning roughly 830 miles, late last year due to an influx of individuals lacking the proper documentation to enter the European Union. Despite these measures, the arrival of migrants has continued, prompting concerns within the Finnish government about a potential surge in numbers with the onset of warmer spring weather.

A notable increase:
According to Finnish border officials, 1,300 migrants from Yemen, Somalia, and Syria attempted to enter the country from August to December of the previous year, marking a significant increase from the average of one person per day before this period. Interior Minister Mari Rantanen revealed in February that thousands were waiting on the Russian side, ready to make their way to Finland.