Recent Russian actions aimed at destabilizing European nations have prompted Finland to reassess its border security, leading to the completion of a new border fence along its eastern border. The Finnish government has erected about 124 miles of fencing to mitigate the influx of unauthorized migrants from Russia, explained Petri Hakkarainen, the political director at the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
“We’ve seen Russia try to use migrants as tools at our border,” Hakkarainen noted. “They essentially push migrants toward us, which means we have to manage them.” This sudden increase in asylum claims has raised concerns about potential societal destabilization if managed ineffectively.
In light of these developments, Finland closed its land border with Russia in 2023, which Moscow reacted to with a formal complaint, labeling it “Russophobic.” The Kremlin expressed “deep regret” over this shift, arguing it ended decades of pragmatic relations between the two nations.
The border fence adds another layer to the security measures, complementing the border closures. At 833 miles, Finland’s border with Russia is the longest of any EU or NATO member country. As the war in Ukraine continues, Western officials have accused Russia of employing various destabilization tactics, which include disinformation and economic pressure to undermine public confidence in Europe.
Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Finland, historically neutral, has reinforced its security measures, a shift that led the country to join NATO in April 2023. Moscow perceives NATO’s eastward expansion as a threat, justifying its military build-up in response. Following Finland’s accession to NATO, there was an immediate surge of over 1,300 undocumented migrants arriving at its eastern border.
Finland has accused Russia of weaponizing migration, framing it as “hybrid warfare,” a claim the Kremlin contests. Finnish authorities noted that closing the border checkpoints has been notably effective. In addition to the fencing, the Finnish parliament enacted the Border Security Act, granting authorities the power to limit asylum applications if there is an attempt by foreign actors to destabilize the country through migration.
While there was some debate regarding potential human rights violations from this law, Hakkarainen emphasized that national defense concerns prevailed. “We take these issues seriously,” he remarked, mentioning that national security was paramount in discussions, and there appears to be considerable public support for the regulations.
“We prioritize our security and preparedness,” Hakkarainen added, remarking that this focus enables the Finnish people to lead normal lives despite the pressures from their neighbor.
