Estonian Interior Minister Lauri Läänemets has accused Russia of allowing asylum seekers without visas or residence permits to cross its shared border without any reason. The move is seen as an organised and deliberate effort to burden border activities and Estonia has returned all relevant individuals. This comes after Finland closed four border crossings with Russia from Friday night until February 2024, accusing Moscow of pushing undocumented migrants towards the frontier. Relations between Russia and Estonia worsened after Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
The Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) has prepared border patrols to deal with a massive migration and has a plan requiring individuals to have a visa, residence permit, or other legal entry document to enter Estonia. Those who request asylum at border crossings are screened for international protection eligibility and, if they qualify, they can claim it.
Prime Minister Petteri Orpo (NCP) has stated that Russia has changed its practice by allowing people access to the border without required travel documents.
Finnish officials have also suggested that Moscow is deliberately allowing migrants to cross into Finland without proper travel documents to destabilise its neighbour. The Finnish government is drafting response tools and the Finnish Ministry of the Interior is preparing a proposal to restrict Russia-Finland border crossings.
CENTRAL EASTERN EUROPE NEWS
Russia Accused of Allowing Citizens to Cross to Baltic Countries Without Documentation
Follow us
