Finnish government reportedly planning to fully close border with Russia

Finland’s government is preparing to fully close its border with Russia in an effort to curb the flow of asylum seekers entering the country from Russian territory, the newspapers Helsingin Sanomat and Ilta Sanomat reported on Monday.

According to Helsingin Sanomat, the government planned to close the border last week but delayed the measure due to concerns from Justice Minister Mikko Puumalainen that it would make it too difficult to apply for asylum in Finland. On Sunday, Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said in an interview that the country will move forward with the closures if they become necessary for national security.