Finnish President Alexander Stubb has delivered his clearest comments yet on the future of Finland’s closed border with Russia, saying crossings will only reopen if Helsinki receives firm assurances from Moscow that migrant flows will stop.
Speaking during a live call-in programme on Yle Radio Suomi on 24 May 2026, Stubb said Finland would require guarantees from “the highest political leadership of the Russian Federation” before lifting the restrictions.
Finland Keeps All Border Crossings Closed
Finland has kept all nine checkpoints along its 1,340-kilometre land border with Russia closed following a migration surge that began in late 2023.
Finnish authorities claimed that thousands of third-country nationals, many without Schengen visas, were directed toward remote Arctic crossings by Russian authorities.
Helsinki has repeatedly argued that the situation was politically motivated and linked to Finland’s accession to NATO.
President Stubb Signals No Immediate Reopening
During the radio interview, Stubb was asked why Finland continues to keep all crossings shut while neighbouring Estonia has maintained limited operations at several border points.
The Finnish president responded that reopening would depend entirely on credible political assurances from Moscow regarding future migration movements.
The comments align closely with the Finnish government’s broader security strategy focused on strengthening national resilience and border protection.
Economic Impact Felt In Border Regions
The prolonged closure has significantly affected local economies along the Finnish-Russian border.
Before the restrictions, approximately 30,000 crossings per day were recorded in 2019, supporting retail, fuel sales, tourism and logistics businesses in eastern Finland.
Border municipalities are now estimated to be losing around €160 million annually due to the collapse in cross-border traffic.
Thousands of commuters from Russia’s Murmansk and Leningrad regions have also been forced to reroute through Norway or Estonia, adding hundreds of kilometres to regular journeys.
Finland Follows Wider European Security Trend
Finland’s approach reflects broader security measures seen across Europe, where several Schengen countries have reintroduced temporary border controls in response to migration and security concerns.
Countries including Germany and Austria have maintained or expanded internal border checks in recent years under special Schengen provisions.
Stubb’s remarks indicate Finland is unlikely to ease restrictions soon unless diplomatic and security conditions change significantly between Helsinki and Moscow.
