More NATO countries ready to close borders with Russia

Checkpoint on the border between Russia and Estonia (Photo: Tass).

According to the Estonian Foreign Ministry, Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna raised the possibility of closing the border with Russia at the meeting of Nordic and Baltic foreign ministers (NB8) in Brussels, held on the sidelines of the NATO ministerial meeting.

The top diplomat of NATO member Estonia has referred to the situation on the Russia-Finland border, describing it as "a hybrid attack by Russia aimed at sowing anxiety and instability".

"Foreign Minister Tsahkna stressed that Estonia is ready to close its border with Russia and defend itself against any hybrid attack. Ministers from Estonia and other countries expressed solidarity with Finland and said they are ready to help Finland if necessary," the Estonian Foreign Ministry said.

Earlier, Estonian Interior Minister Lauri Laanemets accused Russia of conducting "a hybrid offensive" to push migrants to the border.

Location of Russia and neighboring countries (Graphic: TRT).

Last week, Finland largely closed its border with Russia, leaving only one crossing open, the remote Raja-Jooseppi station in the Arctic. However, that crossing will also be closed from November 29 to December 13.

According to the Finnish Border Guard, around 900 asylum seekers from Kenya, Morocco, Pakistan, Somalia, Syria and Yemen entered Finland from Russia in November, a sharp increase from the previous level of less than one person per day.

The Finnish Border Guard said the decision to close all eight border crossings with Russia means only goods will be allowed to pass between the two countries.

Helsinki accuses Moscow of pushing people to their shared border in retaliation for Finland's increased defense cooperation with the United States. The Kremlin denies the accusation.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-gioi/them-quoc-gia-nato-san-sang-dong-cua-bien-gioi-voi-nga-20231130192008363.htm