"Finland Permanently Closes Border with Russia Over Security Concerns"

Finland has decided to keep its border with Russia closed indefinitely due to the risk of "instrumentalized migration," following an influx of around 900 asylum seekers from countries like Kenya, Morocco, Pakistan, Somalia, and Yemen in November 2023. The closure also extends to several maritime crossing points to prevent potential migrant arrivals by sea or over lakes. This decision mirrors Russia's strategy of sending asylum seekers to Finland's eastern border, similar to the situation at the border between Belarus and Poland in 2021. Additionally, Ukraine and Finland have signed a long-term security agreement.