(Dan Tri) – Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said Moscow does not rule out the possibility that Finland will close all border gates with Russia.
Sign on the Finland-Russia border (Photo: AP).
`It’s difficult for me to comment on something that hasn’t happened yet. But given the way decisions are made in Western European countries, any option cannot be ruled out. Although, in this case, such a decision was
The Russian diplomat warned that if Finland closes its borders, Moscow will take response measures consistent with its national interests.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said today that Russian border guards complied with all instructions on the border with Finland and that Moscow considered fanciful accusations unacceptable.
Mr. Peskov once again denied Finland’s accusations that Russia is deliberately pushing illegal migrants toward the border, and affirmed that Russian border guards are performing their duties according to regulations.
When asked about Finland’s closure of four border gates, Mr. Peskov said: `This causes nothing but deep regret, because we have a long-term, very good relationship with Finland, a very good relationship with Finland.
`Of course, we regret that these relations have been replaced by an extremely anti-Russian position, which the country’s leaders have begun to endorse,` the Kremlin spokesman added.
Last week, the Finnish cabinet announced that it had decided to close 4 out of 8 border gates with Russia from November 18 to February 18, 2024 due to the worsening situation of migrants.
Sources said that the Finnish government may decide to close all border gates on the land border with Russia on the night of November 21-22.
Finnish authorities reported an increase in illegal border crossings, including those by migrants from Syria, Yemen and Iraq.
Finnish Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen described the border closure as `a clear message to Russia`, which he said was using migrants to `accelerate the migrant crisis in Europe`.
Border gates at the Finland-Russia border (Photo: BBC).
Finland shares a 1,340km border with Russia.
Finland became a NATO member this summer.
Finland supports transferring frozen Russian assets abroad to Kiev to support Ukraine’s reconstruction.
On November 13, the Moscow embassy in Helsinki issued a warning that Finland had banned people from crossing the border with Russia by bicycle for `an indefinite period`.
Nick John