European Union official von der Leyen visits the Finland
COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — The head of the European Union’s executive branch said Friday that Finland’s decision to close its border crossings with Russia over a surge in migrants was a security matter for the whole 27-member bloc to consider.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen made the remarks during a trip to the frontier, visiting a part of the border located in southeastern Finland.
“We all know how (Russian President Vladimir) Putin and his allies instrumentalize migrants to test our defenses and to try to destabilize us,” von der Leyen said. “Now Putin is focusing on Finland, and this is no doubt in response to your firm support of Ukraine and your accession to NATO.”
On April 4, Finland decided to extend the closure of its border crossing points with Russia “until further notice” because of what the government says is a high risk of organized migration being orchestrated by Moscow. Finland’s government has closed eight of its nine checkpoints with Russia. The only one that remains open is dedicated to rail travel only, and cargo trains mainly run through it.
Related articles
A mass parachute jump over Normandy kicks off commemorations for the 80th anniversary of D
CARENTAN-LES-MARAIS, France (AP) — Parachutists jumping from World War II-era planes hurled themselv2024-06-03Rishi Sunak rejects calls to proscribe Iran's Revolutionary Guard as a terror group
Rishi Sunak has rejected calls to proscribe Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a ter2024-06-03China's top political advisory body holds 3rd plenary meeting of annual session
The third plenary meeting of the second session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People2024-06-03Rescuers battling forest fire in China's Sichuan
This photo taken with a mobile phone on March 16, 2024 shows a forest fire in Yajiang County, southw2024-06-03Maldives will ban Israelis from entering the country over the war in Gaza
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — The Maldives government will ban Israelis from the Indian Ocean archipelag2024-06-03GENERAL JACOB NAGEL: Why Israel's failure to strike back at Iran could lead to NUCLEAR WAR
There is no going back to the days before October 7, 2023 - before Hamas stormed across Israel's bor2024-06-03
atest comment