Published November 20,2023
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Moscow on Monday rejected accusations by Finland that Russian border officers are systematically pushing irregular migrants into the Northern European nation.
“We do not accept such accusations. Naturally, the border crossing is used by those who have the legal right to do so. In this regard, our border guards fully comply with all their official instructions,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov informed reporters at a press briefing in Moscow.
Russia is unlikely to affect the scenario on the border with Finland, Peskov stated, including that this is because of a scarcity of dialogue with Helsinki.
He additional stated that Russia deeply regrets Finland’s determination to shut 4 of its border crossings with Russia, as Moscow and Helsinki have had “long-standing” and “very good relations” which had been “pragmatic and based on mutual respect.”
“Of course, we regret that these relations were replaced by an exclusively Russophobic position, which the leaders of this neighboring country have now begun to adhere to. Unfortunately, this is the situation,” Peskov added.
Later in a press release, the Russian Foreign Ministry stated that it held a dialog with Finnish Ambassador to Moscow Antti Helantera, and Moscow conveyed its protest over Helsinki’s determination to shut the primary border checkpoints between the 2 international locations.
The assertion stated that Helsinki’s determination concerning migrant crossings into Finland and its claims that Russia “consciously” organized such a circulation is “clearly provocative and clearly goes in line with attempts to further aggravate our relations.”
“The closure of checkpoints violates the rights and interests of tens of thousands of citizens of our countries. The decision was made hastily, without any consultations with the Russian side, which had previously been an integral part of cooperation in ensuring the effective functioning of the joint border,” the assertion added.
On Nov. 16, Finland introduced its determination to shut 4 border crossings with Russia from midnight of Nov. 17 in response to suspicions that Russian officers had allowed undocumented asylum seekers to reach on the Finnish border in rising numbers.
The following day, Helsinki issued one other assertion warning that the federal government was ready to take further motion if the choice to shut 4 border crossings with Russia didn’t assist calm the scenario on the jap border with Russia.
According to Finnish public broadcaster YLE on Sunday, Capt. Jouko Kinnunen, the top of the southeastern border station of Vartius, additionally accused Russia of systematically pushing irregular migrants into the nation.
Source: www.anews.com.tr