Overview

• Finland's government announced the indefinite closure of land and maritime borders with Russia, effective beyond the April 14 deadline, in response to concerns over 'instrumentalized migration'.
• 'Instrumentalized migration' refers to Russia's strategy of sending large numbers of migrants to Finland's borders to destabilize the country, a practice Finland aims to combat with the closure.
• The closure includes all land border crossing points and three maritime checkpoints starting April 15, while applications for asylum can still be made at Finnish airports and harbors.
• Interior Minister Mari Rantanen stated that the situation is viewed as long-term, with no signs of change in Russia's tactics, and hundreds could be instrumentalized against Finland.
• The Finnish Cabinet is drafting legislation to combat instrumentalized migration, including potentially controversial measures such as the 'pushback' method.