Finland says Russia ‘using illegal immigrants against us’ and calls for EU help

Finnish leader asks for EU measures on arrival of migrants via Russia

The Finnish prime minister, Petteri Orpo, has asked for EU assistance when it comes to the influx of migrants via Russia and the economic impact of border closures on eastern Finland.

Speaking alongside the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, Orpo said:

“We visited with madame president the border and we described what kind of situation is – and now we have to find common solutions to stop this phenomenon when Russia used illegal immigrants against us. We are preparing our own legislation but we also need EU-level measures,” he said.

“I’m very thankful that the Commission, the European Union, the other member states, have supported us – and Ursula, you especially supported us, at the beginning of this phenomenon.”

He added that eastern Finland has suffered due to Russia’s behaviour and the closure of the border.

“What we need is that European Union have to help eastern Finland and areas suffering because of Russian behaviour … our wish is that European Union have to build a new instrument to fund eastern Finland and the areas suffering.”

Speaking of the instrumentalisation of migration by Russia, Ursula von der Leyen said “now Putin is focusing on Finland.”

“Finland has acted decisively and successfully to counter this threat. This is not just about the security of Finland, but it is about the security of the European Union. We are in this together,” she said.

“I’m here to tell you that the European Union is there to support you in your efforts,” the Commission president stressed.

Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president, said during a visit to Finland today that “today’s visit to the border crossing point was very insightful for me.”

“We should be more Finnish when it comes to security. We have a lot to learn from Finland, and from the model of Finnish preparedness,” von der Leyen said.