Finnish government approves indefinite entry restrictions for Russians

Entry to Finland will be restricted for Russian citizens for an indefinite period, should from the decision of the government of the country.

“The principal goal of this decision is to provide conditions for the suspension of unnecessary trips of citizens of the Russian Federation to Finland, as well as transit through Finland to the rest of the Schengen countries,” the Cabinet of Ministers website explains.

July 6 Russian Foreign Ministry announced on the withdrawal from October 1 of the consent to the activities of the Consulate General of Finland in St. Petersburg, as well as on the expulsion of nine Finnish diplomats.

Finnish Ambassador Antti Helanterya was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry, who was strongly protested in connection with the anti-Russian policy pursued by Helsinki. In particular, Moscow pointed to the breakdown of relations built for decades, discrimination against Russians and the creation of obstacles to the normal operation of Russian missions. In Finland promised “to prepare a measure on the basis of reciprocity” after the decision of the Russian authorities.

6 June Finland announced about the expulsion of nine diplomats from the Russian Federation, who, according to the Finnish authorities, worked in intelligence. At the Russian Embassy in Helsinki earlier declaredthat trade cooperation between countries is almost completely destroyed after joining the EU anti-Russian sanctions. Diplomats are also convinced that “new political realities in the relations of countries”‎ were created by the completion on April 4, 2023 of the procedures related to Finland’s entry into NATO.