Finnish President names conditions for opening borders with Russia

Finnish President Alexander Stubb said on Wednesday, January 29, that the opening of the Finnish-Russian border, which has been closed by Helsinki, allegedly depends on Moscow's actions.

"We still do not see any indication from the Russian side that guided migration will not continue when the border is opened. There is no certainty, and I think it is difficult to open the border. The ball, metaphorically speaking, is on the side of the Russians," he was quoted as saying by broadcaster Yle.

Course for action: Finland prepares rallies in support of opening borders with Russia

What the country loses from the closure of the CPP in 2023

Earlier, on January 27, the Minister of Internal Affairs of Finland Mari Rantanen said that the country plans to tighten the requirements for obtaining a permanent residence permit (PNV) for foreign citizens. It is planned that to obtain a residence permit in Finland will increase the period of stay in the country from four to six years.

Before that, on October 24, 2024, the Finnish Border Guard Service announced the complete closure of two checkpoints on the border with the Russian Federation. The points "Parikkala" and "Inari" completely stopped their work.

In addition, on April 18, it became known that the Government of Finland submitted to the Parliament a bill that would tighten the requirements for obtaining citizenship of the country. It is proposed to increase the period of residence in Finland required to obtain Finnish citizenship from the current five to eight years.