Finnish MP had to apologize for suggesting opening the border with Russia

Member of the Finnish Parliament Kimmo Kiljunen had to apologize for his proposal to reopen the border with Russia after criticism from his fellow party members. This was reported by Helsingin Sanomat newspaper on November 28.

Kiljunen expressed the opinion that communication between the two countries should be resumed again during a meeting with representatives of the Russian-speaking "Alexander Society" (Aleksanterinliitto). And he promised to discuss the issue of opening the border with his colleagues.

However, Tutti Tuppurainen, chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) parliamentary group, and Sofia Vikman, deputy chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, publicly criticized him for this stance, saying it was not in line with Finland's overall foreign policy line.

Kiljunen admitted that his view was only a private opinion and did not reflect the line of the entire party. He noted that the situation in Russia and on the eastern border affects him personally, as his wife is of Russian origin, Gazeta.Ru adds.

"My words at the meeting with the Finnish Russians were completely ill-considered, and I apologize for them," he said.

Before that, on November 13, the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Finland Mari Rantanen recalled that the country closed checkpoints with the Russian Federation after the threat of a migration crisis. The authorities have not yet been able to solve the problem, so the issue of opening the borders is not relevant at the moment, said the Minister. At the same time on November 5, the newspaper Ilta-Sanomat wrote that the Finnish government may open one crossing point in the winter period as part of an experiment.

In November 2023, Finland closed all checkpoints on the border with Russia under the pretext of an influx of migrants from third countries. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at the time that Moscow was ready to work with Helsinki to resolve the situation.

On September 2, 2024, the authorities of the European state reported that they intend to make the barriers on the border with Russia higher and denser than planned. It is assumed that by the end of 2026, the agency will build about 200 kilometers of stationary fence. Its height will be 3.5 meters.