Some 50–60 people held a demonstration in the eastern city of Lappeenranta on Sunday, protesting Finland’s temporary closure of its border with Russia.
Most of those taking part were Russians residents of Finland and dual citizens, demanding a re-opening so that they could visit relatives across the border.
"We ask the government how it intends to resolve the situation on the eastern border and which factors define the national security threat. The desire to convey a strong message to Russia is not enough of an answer," one of the organisers, Katja Marova, said through a megaphone in front of Lappeenranta's town hall.
One of the demonstrators is local resident Marzhan Kakimova, who has lived in Finland for 30 years. She told Yle that she wants to see her sister who lives in Russia and does not understand why the border is closed.
"I don't think it's closed because of asylum seekers," said Kakimova.
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The interview was interrupted as counter-protesters showed her a placard saying in Russian and Finnish: "The reason for closing the border is Putin and the Kremlin, not Finland".
"It's your fault! And Nato's fault. Why would this be Putin's or Russia's fault? It's your fault," Kakimova responded.
Pro-Ukraine counter-demonstrators
In addition to the demonstration by Russian-speaking residents of Finland, another group of people on the other side of the square waved Ukrainian flags.
"We want to point out that the underlying reason behind the closure of the eastern border and the entry problem is Russia's illegal war against Ukraine," said Lappeenranta resident Mauri Kinnunen.
Russians and dual citizens also demonstrated on 19 November after the border was closed for the first time. Kinnunen was also present for a counter-demonstration.
"Then, a few protesters came to talk with us. None of them admitted that there was a problem with Russia's political leadership or decision-makers. Instead the problem seemed to be with Finnish decision-makers and politicians," he said.
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