For the first time in nearly two years, Prime Minister Petteri Orpo has publicly suggested that Finland could reopen at least one land-border crossing with Russia if Moscow stops allowing undocumented travellers to approach the frontier. In an interview with Yle Radio aired late on 13 November, Orpo said that Helsinki is “prepared to test a carefully managed reopening” provided that Russia “demonstrably resumes normal passport and visa checks on its side.” His comments were subsequently reported by news agency Interfax.
Finland sealed all eight road checkpoints on the 1 340-km frontier in December 2023 after what it described as “instrumentalised migration” orchestrated by Russia. Since then, asylum applications can only be lodged at Helsinki Airport or designated ports, causing long detours for genuine refugees and forcing businesses that rely on cross-border trade to re-route goods.
![Finland Weighs Controlled Re-Opening of Eastern Border With Russia]()
Border-Guard official Jussi Napola told Yle that any pilot opening would probably involve Raja-Jooseppi in Finnish Lapland, where traffic volumes are low and infrastructure for biometric EES registration is already in place. The agency is drawing up contingency plans that include temporary screening zones, capacity limits, and an emergency “snap-shut” procedure if flows spike.
For global mobility managers the change would be significant. Dozens of forestry, mining and wind-energy projects in Lapland have been forced to fly in Russian technicians via Istanbul or Dubai—adding days of travel time, visa complexity and cost. Logistics operators would also regain access to the Arctic Corridor, the fastest trucking route between Northern Scandinavia and St. Petersburg.
Yet major hurdles remain. The interior ministry insists it still sees a high risk of renewed hybrid pressure, while many in parliament want proof that Moscow will cooperate. Even in an optimistic scenario, experts say commercial traffic would not normalise before spring 2026, because drivers need new Schengen multiple-entry visas and carriers must re-secure insurance coverage that lapsed during the closure.
Finland sealed all eight road checkpoints on the 1 340-km frontier in December 2023 after what it described as “instrumentalised migration” orchestrated by Russia. Since then, asylum applications can only be lodged at Helsinki Airport or designated ports, causing long detours for genuine refugees and forcing businesses that rely on cross-border trade to re-route goods.
Border-Guard official Jussi Napola told Yle that any pilot opening would probably involve Raja-Jooseppi in Finnish Lapland, where traffic volumes are low and infrastructure for biometric EES registration is already in place. The agency is drawing up contingency plans that include temporary screening zones, capacity limits, and an emergency “snap-shut” procedure if flows spike.
For global mobility managers the change would be significant. Dozens of forestry, mining and wind-energy projects in Lapland have been forced to fly in Russian technicians via Istanbul or Dubai—adding days of travel time, visa complexity and cost. Logistics operators would also regain access to the Arctic Corridor, the fastest trucking route between Northern Scandinavia and St. Petersburg.
Yet major hurdles remain. The interior ministry insists it still sees a high risk of renewed hybrid pressure, while many in parliament want proof that Moscow will cooperate. Even in an optimistic scenario, experts say commercial traffic would not normalise before spring 2026, because drivers need new Schengen multiple-entry visas and carriers must re-secure insurance coverage that lapsed during the closure.
