Finnish residents urge border reopening as European Parliament considers petition from Aleksanteriliitto

Finland’s eastern border remains tightly controlled, creating challenges especially for Russian-speaking residents wishing to travel to Russia to visit family members. The Aleksanteriliitto group has lodged a petition with the European Parliament to open the border, claiming that Finland’s actions violate EU regulations. Interior Minister Mari Rantanen and other officials argue that reopening the border could facilitate hybrid influence from Russia, thus the border will remain closed.

Not all Russian speakers in Finland oppose the border closure; some believe that national security must take precedence. A year ago, the Finnish government closed the eastern border in response to hybrid threats from Russia and the surge of hundreds of asylum seekers from third countries. Currently, strict travel restrictions are still in force, making it difficult to cross into Russia.

Many Russian speakers living in Finland, however, view the situation differently. Alexey Bulavtsev from Aleksanteriliitto criticized the Finnish government’s decision, stating that it contradicts EU rules, which demand that restrictions be individualized. His organization’s petition has garnered over a thousand signatures and is under consideration by the European Parliament.

The passage of a recent law was hoped to facilitate border reopenings, but expectations were not met, with differing views among Finnish politicians regarding its impact.

As the border remains reinforced, some residents have resorted to using the Narva-Ivangorod crossing in Estonia to reach Russia, which presents its own challenges, including wait times and additional checks. These frustrations have led individuals like Ilya Morev to call for clarity on the conditions for potential border opening. Conversely, other Russian-speaking community members, like Irina Vesikko, express support for the government’s focus on national safety, while hoping for better conditions in the future.