Russian property owners in Finland will be asked to ease entry restrictions

Russians who have real estate in Finland intend to petition President Sauli Niinistö to facilitate entry into the country. About it informs local newspaper Helsingin Sanomat.

It is specified that signatures for the petition began to be collected last year, but then it was withdrawn, since the document did not take into account the interests of the owners of forest and land plots. The new version of the petition, which is planned to be sent to the president in the coming days, has already been signed by 750 people.

“The Russian owners of real estate located in Finland are exceptionally peaceful civilians who do not pose a threat to the security of Finland,” the newspaper quotes from the petition.

From 10 July Finland tightened entry rules for Russian students, property owners and business travelers. In particular, business travelers from Russia will be prohibited from transiting through Finland to other countries, and “good reasons” will be needed to arrive in the republic. Property owners will also need a similar basis for a personal visit. Students will be allowed entry if they are participating in programs leading to a degree. For all other Russians, entry and transit will continue to be restricted.

6 July Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation announced on the closure of the Consulate General of Finland in St. Petersburg from October 1, as well as on the expulsion of nine Finnish diplomats. The move came in response to Helsinki’s decision in June to expel nine Russian diplomats suspected by the country’s authorities of working for intelligence.

After this decision, the President of Finland announced the preparation of retaliatory measures against Russia. July 19 became knownthat Finland will revoke the permit for the operation of the Russian Consulate General in Turku from October 1, 2023.