Finland may close few border crossings with Russia – PM

Finland’s leader said that they will shut down some places where people can cross the border with Russia.

Petteri Orpo said that four places for people to enter the country in the south will close at midnight on Friday. Two places in the north will stay open for people to ask for asylum.

In the past few days, Finland has had a lot more people crossing over from Russia illegally, mostly from other countries.

Mr Orpo says Russia is purposely helping people without the right papers to come to the border.

The Prime Minister said that the Vaalimaa, Nuijamaa, Niirala, and Imatra border crossings will shut down.

Mr Orpo said that people can still ask for asylum at the crossings in Salla and Vartius, even though they are very far north.

Seventy-five people seeking refuge arrived in Finland on Wednesday, as reported by border guards.

Finland’s government says that the people who come to their country first enter Russia legally and then travel to the border to enter Finland and ask for protection.

The prime minister says that the Russian government planned the crossings.

“Mr Orpo said on Tuesday that these people are definitely being helped and taken to the border by border guards. ”

Finland has a really long border with Russia, it’s 1,340km or 833 miles long.