The European Union (EU) has accused Russia of using migrants to pressure other countries, citing an increase in undocumented asylum seekers crossing Russia’s border to Finland.
Helsinki will close four of its eight border crossings with Russia this weekend due to the surge in asylum seekers. Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo accused Russia of destabilising Finland in response to NATO’s membership this year. European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen criticised Russia’s instrumentalisation of migrants.
The EU is closely monitoring the situation and is in contact with Finnish authorities and border guards. Helsinki’s ties with Moscow have deteriorated since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, prompting Finland to join NATO amid security concerns. Since August, Finland has seen a surge in people crossing the border despite not having proper documentation, primarily from the Middle East and Africa. EU spokesman Christian Wigand said member states have an obligation to protect external borders and that they are the best place to define how to do this in practice in full compliance with fundamental rights.
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EU Criticises Russia’s Cynical Use of Migrants
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