“One can comment on decisions that have a logical and rational reasoning; what Finnish authorities have done is too far from that; one would have to ask Helsinki why,” Grushko added.

The deputy foreign minister stated that these measures will primarily affect Finnish citizens, who will suffer the consequences of the border closure.

Finland closed the Vaalimaa, Nuijamaa, Imatra, and Niirala border crossings on November 18. On November 22, it determined to close three of the four remaining checkpoints before December 23, 2023, leaving only the Raja-Jooseppi border crossing.

However, authorities of the neighboring country have not ruled out the possibility of closing the checkpoints if they feel that the flow of illegal immigrants has not dried up.

Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said his country could close the entire border with Russia if necessary.

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