Michel supports Finland's decision to close the border with Russia

The head of the European Council, Charles Michel, supported the decision of the Finnish authorities to restrict the crossing of the eastern border with Russia due to the situation with the growing number of refugees and migrants.

This is reported with reference to Charles Michel's X (Twitter).

The EU representative emphasized full solidarity with Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo and the country for the decision.

"Grateful for Finland’s effective efforts to protect Europe’s external border," the statement reads.

Michel also said that Russia's attempts to use “to instrumentalize vulnerable migrants will be met with appropriate response".

As a reminder, Finland closed four border crossing points with Russia on November 18. The country's authorities explained such actions by fighting the influx of refugees seeking asylum.

Later it became known that Finland may completely close the border with Russia. The Ministry of the Interior is preparing a bill. It is intended to be a backup measure in case the number of asylum seekers in Finland increases dramatically.

Author – Anastasiya Glotova, 21/11/2023