The document, presented to Parliament, is intended, according to the executive, to improve security in the eastern border area.

According to reports in the Finnish daily Helsingin Sanomat, this would allow the guards to reject asylum applications directly at the checkpoints, although the border will remain closed at least until the new law is passed.

The vehicle transit checkpoints on the border with Russia remain closed following the measure taken by the Government at the end of November 2023.

On the issue, the Eurasian nation’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated that Finland’s decision to close the border crossings creates new dividing lines in Europe.

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