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Finland to block border amid Russian \u2018instrumentalisation of migrants\u2019 | Migration News<\/p>\n
At midnight \u2018devices to prevent entry\u2019 will go up at four of the border crossings between the European neighbours.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Finland will place barriers on four of the eight border crossings it shares with Russia, as it seeks to stem a flow of asylum seekers.<\/p>\n The Finnish Border Guard said on Friday that the barriers will go up at midnight (22:00 GMT) at the Vaalimaa, Nuijamaa, Imatra and Niirala crossings in southeastern Finland.<\/p>\n \u201cOur aim is to use barrier devices to prevent entry,\u201d the Border Guard\u2019s head of international affairs Matti Pitkaniitty told reporters. The measures are a response to changes in Russia\u2019s border policy, he said.<\/p>\n Helsinki has accused Moscow of encouraging or turning a blind eye to undocumented migrants crossing over. Russia has denied the claim.<\/p>\n Finland announced earlier this week that it would close the four border crossings, which are the busiest points of travel between the two countries, with about 3,000 people crossing per day.<\/p>\n Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said that amid Russia\u2019s invasion of Ukraine, Moscow was seeking to destabilise his country in response to Helsinki\u2019s decision to join NATO.<\/p>\n Finland\u2019s action was supported by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.<\/p>\n \u201cRussia\u2019s instrumentalisation of migrants is shameful. I fully support the measures taken by Finland,\u201d von der Leyen said on X.<\/p>\n\n