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EU Commission President Urges Unity In Response To Finland's Border Closure

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, left, and Finnish Prime Minister Petter Orpo give a joint press conference at the Lappeenranta airport, eastern Finland, Friday April 19, 202

Finland's decision to close its border crossings with Russia due to a surge in migrants has raised concerns at the European Union level. The move, aimed at addressing security risks, has prompted European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to emphasize the collective security implications for the 27-member bloc.

The closure, extended indefinitely since April 4, affects eight out of nine checkpoints between the two countries. The remaining open checkpoint is solely for rail travel, primarily serving cargo trains. Finland's 1,340-kilometer border with Russia spans diverse terrains, from dense forests in the south to the rugged Arctic north.

Von der Leyen's visit to the border, alongside Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, underscored the broader EU security concerns. She highlighted the alleged use of migrants by Russian President Vladimir Putin to test defenses and sow instability, particularly in response to Finland's support for Ukraine and recent NATO accession.

Remaining checkpoint open for rail travel, mainly for cargo trains.
Finland closed 8 out of 9 border checkpoints with Russia indefinitely.
EU Commission President emphasized collective security implications for the bloc.
Concerns raised over alleged use of migrants by Putin to test defenses.
Majority of migrants seeking asylum in Finland from Middle East and Africa.
Finland's NATO membership post-Russia's invasion of Ukraine marks a security shift.

Orpo's statement following the visit pointed to the heightened risk of illegal migration orchestrated by Russia outside official border crossings, particularly as warmer weather approaches. The majority of migrants, originating from the Middle East and Africa, have sought asylum in Finland, a nation of 5.6 million people that joined NATO in April 2023.

Finland's NATO membership, following Sweden's similar decision, marks a significant shift in Europe's security landscape post-Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The strategic realignment reflects a united stance against Russian aggression and underscores the need for enhanced security cooperation within the EU.

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