Kremlin says Finland made up reasons for closing border

Dmitry Peskov. Stock photo: Getty Images

The Kremlin has called Finland’s statements that Russian border guards deliberately bring migrants to the Finnish border to provoke a crisis unacceptable.

Source: the Russian Interfax news outlet quoting Kremlin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov

Details: Peskov said that “border crossing points are used by those who have a legal right to do so, and in this regard, our border guards fully comply with all their official instructions.”

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“And if they (Finnish authorities – ed.) are trying to find some far-fetched reasons, then again, we do not accept such accusations against us here,” he said.

The Kremlin also commented on reports that Finland may close the remaining checkpoints on its land border with Russia in the coming days.

“This is nothing but deeply regrettable because we have had long-standing, very good relations with Finland, pragmatic and based on mutual respect. And, of course, we regret that these relations have been replaced by such an exclusively Russophobic position, which the leaders of this country have begun to adhere to,” Peskov said.

Background:

• Last Thursday, Finland decided to close the Vaalimaa, Nuijamaa, Imatra and Niirala border crossings due to a surge in illegal migration. They have been closed to traffic since Saturday.
• According to available intelligence data, the government assessed that the Russian authorities are involved in transporting illegal asylum seekers to the Finnish border.
• Finnish border guards previously reported that in recent months, an exceptionally large number of people without entry documents had tried to enter Finland through checkpoints on the southeastern border.

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