Moscow Voices ‘Regret’ Over Border Closure by New NATO Member Finland

Helsinki moves to seal its crossings with Russia amid Western claims that Moscow is weaponizing migrant inflows to Europe.

Fencing on the border with Russia in Pelkola, Finland, on April 14, 2023. Janis Laizans/Reuters

The Kremlin has voiced its “regret” over a recent decision by new NATO member Finland to close several crossings along its border with Russia.

The move by Helsinki “causes deep regret because [Russia] had longstanding and very good relations with Finland based on mutual respect,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Nov. 20.