Finland’s Minister of Defense, Antti Häkkänen (Photo: Lehtikuva/Markku Ulander/via REUTERS)
Finland ruled out the possibility of reopening the country’s border with Russia anytime soon, as this idea seems unrealistic under nowadays circumstances, Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen said, Yle media outlet reported on Feb. 23.
The country has no intention of reopening its border with Russia anytime soon, citing security concerns and Moscow’s ongoing attempts to manipulate migration flows.
“We are not going to open the border,” Häkkänen said.
“We know that Russia intends to continue directing waves of migrants toward Finland the moment we do.”
The minister accused Moscow of manipulating its narrative while disregarding its own role in deteriorating relations with neighboring countries.
“They attacked Chechnya, Georgia, Crimea, and then launched a full-scale war on Ukraine,” Häkkänen added.
“Russia has killed and wounded hundreds of thousands of people and seized large portions of its neighbor’s territory.”
He stressed that if Russia truly wishes to engage with its neighbors, it must first change its behavior. Until then, Moscow cannot expect a return to normal tourism and trade ties.
“The first step toward improving relations will be halting military aggression in Ukraine and withdrawing from occupied territories,” he added.
Häkkänen also accused Russia of hypocrisy, stressing that trust has been lost. He underlined the importance of a united EU and NATO stance, warning that Moscow seeks to divide Europe by engaging individual countries in separate dialogues.
“If Europe is weak, it means negotiations and agreements happen without us,” he concluded.
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