Russia escalates tensions on the border with Finland and sends thousands of refugees. Finland's conservative government has remained tough and has not opened the border for refugees.
It will remain closed at least until mid-April. According to the Finnish border authority, more than 1,300 refugees from countries such as Yemen, Somalia and Syria entered Finland from Russia between August and December 2023. The country has increased border controls since the beginning of February and recently concluded an agreement with the USA that allows US armed forces to use 15 military bases.