Finland plans to keep all eight checkpoints on its eastern border with Russia closed beyond the stated deadline of this Sunday, tabloid Iltalehti reports, citing government sources.
Apart from a single freight train crossing, the Finnish government shut the eastern frontier in December in response to an increased number of asylum seekers presenting at the Finnish side of the border, a development that Finnish authorities suspected were orchestrated by Russia.
When the decision was announced in mid-December, Interior Minister Mari Rantanen (Finns) said the checkpoints would remain closed until at least 14 January.
However, according to Iltalehi's sources, the situation at the Finnish-Russian border has not changed and the government is likely to decide to extend its closure at a cabinet meeting scheduled for Thursday.
Speaking to Yle on Tuesday, Prime Minister Petteri Orpo (NCP) hinted that the government would likely extend the border closure.
"Based on the information I have now, nothing has changed in Russia. I consider the threat assessment to be similar. It suggests that further action is needed," Orpo said.
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