The Finnish Minister proposed to stop the high-speed rail project in the direction of Russia

The Finnish government needs to reconsider plans to build a railway line in the direction of Russia, says Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Skinnari. He justified his initiative by the Russian military operation in Ukraine.

We are talking about the project Itarata (“Eastern Railway”), which provides for the construction of a high-speed railway line from Helsinki to the Russian border. The project was agreed in 2021, it was estimated at about €79 million.

“It is clear that the Itarata project and the activities of its project company should be suspended,” said Mr. Skinnari in an interview with the TV channel YLE.

According to a channel survey, 58% of Finnish residents act to stop issuing visas to Russians. Suspension of the Schengen visa for travelers from the Russian Federation support leading parties in the country. Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs admittedthat may take such restrictive measures.

Details – in the material “Kommersant FM” “Transit tourists do not belong here”.

Laura Keffer