Sweden backs Finland closing borders to fend off ‘Russia-orchestrated’ migrant crisis

10 months ago 32

Sweden supports Finland’s decision to close several border crossings in response to a recent surge of migrants and asylum seekers from Russia, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said during his official visit to Helsinki, commenting on Finland’s response to what is widely seen as an attempt by Russia to divide the West.

In recent weeks, hundreds of asylum seekers have arrived at border crossings between Russia and Finland.

“The situation on the Finnish border is being orchestrated by Russia and is aimed at dividing the West,” Kristersson said at a joint press conference with his Finnish counterpart Petteri Orpo.

“Sweden strongly supports Finland’s measures to protect not only the Finnish border but also the EU’s external border,” the Swedish prime minister added.

Among the asylum seekers who crossed the border in recent weeks, some have already been issued a negative asylum decision, while others have cancelled their application, according to the Asylum Unit of the Finnish Immigration Service.

However, none have received a positive decision so far, said the Finnish Asylum Unit’s head of department, Antti Lehtinen, adding that those whose application has been rejected can still appeal.

Some of those who arrived in Finland earlier are known to have already applied for asylum in other EU countries and have already left Finland.

In Finland, the situation is viewed as a national security crisis, with the crossings being labelled as a Russian hybrid attack, particularly as Russian forces are actively pushing migrants towards Finland’s various border crossings.

In response, Finland has already closed all its border crossings with Russia but one. The already closed borders will remain so for several weeks.

“We see this as a matter of national security”, Orpo warned, adding that his country is ready to close the last border crossing if necessary.

While Orpo pointed to Finland not having as many asylum seekers as Italy or Greece, he warned of “Russia’s aggression against the European Union”.

“It’s a hybrid attack, and that’s why it’s so serious for the EU,” he added.

Kristersson said Sweden would offer a helping hand “with the situation if necessary.”

“We, Norway and Denmark, if you look at the map, are countries that would obviously be directly affected, so we are ready to contribute, but it is based on Finland’s initiative,” he added without detailing how such a contribution would look like.

(Charles Szumski | Euractiv.com)