Finland is ramping up security along its eastern border, warning of a potential Russian troop buildup once the war in Ukraine ends. The development comes as Helsinki continues to bolster its border security with a new fence aimed at deterring hybrid threats.
Finland says it expects Russia to further build up troops along their shared border once the war in Ukraine ends, following reports that Moscow has recently reinforced military bases near the NATO frontier. The warning comes as Helsinki continues efforts to strengthen its eastern border with a new security fence.
Major General Sami Nurmi, Head of Strategy for the Finnish Defence Forces, said the military is monitoring Russian activity “very closely” and emphasized the need to prepare for the worst as part of Finland’s NATO responsibilities. He noted that Russia is modifying military infrastructure near the border and is likely to redeploy land forces currently fighting in Ukraine once the war ends.
Amid rising tensions, Finland has completed the first kilometers of a planned 200-kilometer, 4.5-meter-high fence along its 1,344-kilometer border with Russia. Topped with barbed wire and equipped with surveillance systems, the barrier is designed to deter unauthorized crossings and manage potential security threats.
Border officials say the fence became necessary after Finland accused Russia of deliberately sending migrants across the border in 2023. That year, around 1,300 asylum seekers from countries like Syria and Somalia entered Finland via Russia, prompting the government to close all eight passenger border crossings indefinitely. Although migrant arrivals have nearly stopped since the closure, Finnish authorities say the fence is essential to improving border monitoring and readiness.
Samuel Siljanen, Head of Operations for the Southeast Finland Border Guard, said most of the fence will be built in the southeast, a region that has seen the most border incidents. “It’s a higher-risk area for us,” he noted, adding that 140 kilometers of the fence will be constructed there.
Deputy Commander Antti Virta said the barrier is a necessary tool for controlling potential mass entries. “Based on our experience and that of other EU countries, this is the best solution for now, especially if people try to enter Finland illegally by force,” he said.
Russia has denied orchestrating the migrant flows, while the European Court of Human Rights has asked Finland to justify the indefinite closure of its border crossings.
Russia and Ukraine could meet for technical-level talks as early as next week, potentially at the Vatican, according to Finnish President Alexander Stubb.
Finland has been selected as one of the countries implementing European Union measures to supply Ukraine with defence materials, using funds from frozen Russian assets.
Two helicopters collided in mid-air near Eura airport in south-west Finland, killing all five people on board.
The European Commission has announced the allocation of EUR 52 million in funding support through the EU Renewable Energy Financing Mechanism (RENEWFM) to nine renewable energy projects in Finland and Estonia.
Finland's President emphasized the need to strengthen bilateral relations with the U.S. and ensure its continued engagement in NATO for global security and stability.
Adidas and Puma are expected to raise prices in the U.S. after Nike increased footwear costs, as rising import tariffs push up expenses across the sportswear industry.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu harshly criticized UK’s Starmer, France’s Macron, and Canada’s Carney for urging a halt to Israel’s military action in Gaza, accusing them of siding with Hamas and undermining justice.
Harvard University’s right to enroll foreign students is under threat after the Department of Homeland Security demanded sweeping access to records and imposed a strict compliance deadline, escalating tensions over campus activism and federal oversight.
The second meeting of customs leaders from Central Asia and China was held in Almaty, focusing on digitalization, AI integration, border crossing agreements, and expanding cooperation to strengthen regional trade and logistics.
Azerbaijan’s Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov has been appointed Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Islamic Development Bank Group, with the 2026 Annual Meeting set to take place in Azerbaijan.
Tensions flare in the India-France Rafale deal as France refuses to share the fighter jet’s source code, limiting India’s ability to integrate indigenous weapons and reducing its combat autonomy.
France has rejected India’s request to share source codes needed to integrate indigenous weapons into Rafale fighter jets. Despite repeated appeals, French manufacturer Dassault Aviation has refused to compromise on the issue
AnewZ and Kazakhstan’s Jibek Joly/Silk Way TV channel co-hosted a special AnewZ Talks in Astana at Maqsut Narikbayev University (MNU), uniting global experts and young leaders at Silk Road Media Group’s journalism school to explore the growing intersection of media and diplomacy.
The Tehran Dialogue Forum 2025, scheduled for May 18–19, will host 200 international guests, including 40 current and former European officials.
Anton Kobyakov, adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin, claimed at the St. Petersburg International Legal Forum that the USSR’s dissolution was legally invalid and that the Soviet Union still exists under constitutional law, framing the Ukraine war as an “internal process.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu harshly criticized UK’s Starmer, France’s Macron, and Canada’s Carney for urging a halt to Israel’s military action in Gaza, accusing them of siding with Hamas and undermining justice.
Harvard University’s right to enroll foreign students is under threat after the Department of Homeland Security demanded sweeping access to records and imposed a strict compliance deadline, escalating tensions over campus activism and federal oversight.
German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil expressed hope that the G7 will issue a joint communique supporting Ukraine, despite tensions with the US over wording related to the conflict with Russia. Talks also continue on trade issues and sanctions.
French President Emmanuel Macron urged Chinese President Xi Jinping to avoid tariffs on Cognac and to support ceasefires in Ukraine and Gaza, as the leaders discussed trade tensions and global conflicts.
Donald Trump’s flagship bill has passed the House. It promises tax cuts, military spending, and deep cuts to social programmes. The price: $2.4 trillion added to the U.S. debt.
Adidas and Puma are expected to raise prices in the U.S. after Nike increased footwear costs, as rising import tariffs push up expenses across the sportswear industry.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu harshly criticized UK’s Starmer, France’s Macron, and Canada’s Carney for urging a halt to Israel’s military action in Gaza, accusing them of siding with Hamas and undermining justice.
Harvard University’s right to enroll foreign students is under threat after the Department of Homeland Security demanded sweeping access to records and imposed a strict compliance deadline, escalating tensions over campus activism and federal oversight.
The second meeting of customs leaders from Central Asia and China was held in Almaty, focusing on digitalization, AI integration, border crossing agreements, and expanding cooperation to strengthen regional trade and logistics.
Azerbaijan’s Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov has been appointed Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Islamic Development Bank Group, with the 2026 Annual Meeting set to take place in Azerbaijan.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment