The Russian-Ukrainian War, which began on February 24, 2022, has raised security concerns in Finland, Russia’s largest border in Europe. This problem arises from the fact that Russia prefers Finland, which is quite easily accessible to Russian citizens who want to leave the country due to the mobilization declared due to the ongoing war. On the other hand, the first measure taken against border security violations was the visa application and entry restrictions imposed by Finland on Russian citizens. These practices were announced in the press release of the Government of Finland on 23 September 2022.[1]
In a press release issued on 29 September 2022 by the Finnish Border Guards, the institution responsible for border security of the country, it was emphasized that violations have increased at the border shared with Russia in the east of Finland, and therefore the need for a new barrier has emerged to replace the wooden fences that are aging and have been put in place to prevent the passage of wild animals. Moreover, no new barriers have been designed over the entire 1,340 km long eastern border; It is stated that this new barrier, which is thought to cost hundreds of millions of euros, will be applied to a line of 130 to 260 km, will be supported by technical and technological equipment, and the project may take up to four years to be implemented. It was also mentioned that the support and approval of the Finnish Government was required for the realization of the project.[2]
However, the Helsinki administration has been able to allocate 6 million euros from the 2022 budget for the project and has declared that it intends to create a financing of 139 million euros from the 2023 budget.[3] Thus, the Finnish Border Guards, who found financing for the project, chose Imatta as a pilot region for the implementation of the project; It announced that the material supply and barrier manufacturing process will begin in the spring of 2023 with a press release dated November 18, 2022.[4]
In addition, information about the technical characteristics and application of the barrier was also conveyed for the first time. It was mentioned that the barrier to be built for three km on both sides of the Imarta Border Gate would have a height of three meters, that a road would be opened by cutting down trees ten meters away from the barrier, and that lighting and audible warning systems would be placed at the points deemed necessary. It is pointed out that the barrier has a life of 50 years and the technical and technological monitoring equipment has a life of 10 years.[5]
On the other hand, in the press release issued by the Finnish Border Guards on 28 February 2023, it is stated that the removal of the trees in the project area has begun; It is stated that as of March 2023, road and barrier construction will begin and then technical and technological monitoring equipment will be deployed on the barrier. The Finnish Border Guards, who also announced that this six-km pilot application will be completed in June 2022, also informed about the compensation of possible damages of the property owners in the project area and stated that they are focusing on the preparation of an environmental impact assessment report on the barrier. Moreover, it was announced that there will be a press release at the Pelkola Border Gate on March 14, 2023.[6]
It is estimated that the budget of 139 million euros allocated to the Finnish Border Guards will raise funds for the construction of a barrier with a length of about 70 km. It is stated that 55 km of the barrier, which will be built between 2023 and 2025 at the points identified as important transit routes, will be located in Southeastern Finland, seven km in North Karelia and five km in the region between Kainuu and Lapland.[7]
At this point, it should be noted that; The official visit of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg to Helsinki, the capital of Finland, which is in the process of joining NATO on 28 February 2023, is very meaningful. During his visit, Stoltenberg met with Finnish President Sauli Niinistö and Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto. In addition, Stoltenberg, who attended the Scandinavian Labour Movement (SAMAK) Nordic Summit Cooperation Committee Meeting with Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Swedish Social Democratic Party leader Magdalena Andersson, used the following statements in his speech here:[8]
‘’We don’t know when this war will end, but when it does, we have to make sure that history doesn’t repeat itself. Putin cannot continue to destroy European security. At the end of the Cold War, many of us in this room believed that we could have a better relationship with Russia. Putin, however, has chosen to move away from cooperation and dialogue. It has shattered the basic principles of global security and attacked neighboring countries. NATO has increased its presence in the region. Now we are acting together and doing more exercises. Many allies have given security guarantees to Finland and Sweden. Therefore, if your security is threatened, it is unthinkable that NATO allies will not act.’’
In conclusion, it would be an understatement to consider the new developments in Finland’s border security as a purely aimed at preventing illegal migration movements. The barrier to be erected on the border shows that the imaginary border between NATO and Russia is deepening. This barrier is not only between Finland and Russia; it can also be argued that it rises between the two poles.
[1] “President and Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy Discuss the Effects of Russia’s War and Partial Mobilisation on the Assessment of Russian Tourists”, Valtioneuvoston Viestintäosasto, https://valtioneuvosto.fi/en/-/10616/president-and-ministerial-committee-on-foreign-and-security-policy-discuss-the-effects-of-russia-s-war-and-partial-mobilisation-on-the-assessment-of-russian-tourists, (Date of accession: 12.03.2023).
[2] “The Finnish Border Guard’s Plan for the Fence on the Eastern Border Has Been Completed”, Rajavartiolaitos, https://raja.fi/en/-/the-finnish-border-guard-s-plan-for-the-fence-on-the-eastern-border-has-been-completed, (Date of accession: 12.03.2023).
[3] “Finland to Spend $143 Million on Russia Border Fence”, Reuters, https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/finland-spend-143-million-russia-border-fence-2022-11-17/, (Date of accession: 12.03.2023).
[4] “A Pilot of the Eastern Border Barrier Fence to be Built in Imatra”, Rajavartiolaitos, https://raja.fi/en/-/a-pilot-of-the-eastern-border-barrier-fence-to-be-built-in-imatra, (Date of accession: 12.03.2023).
[5] Ibid.
[6] Ibid.
[7] Ibid.
[8] Secretary General in Helsinki: Time to Welcome Finland and Sweden as NATO Members, NATO, https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news,_212423.htm, (Date of accession: 12.03.2023).
