Estonia and Finland experience a surge in asylum seekers, leading to accusations of state-orchestrated operations by Russia
Estonia and Finland have recently witnessed a significant increase in the number of asylum seekers attempting to enter their territories. This surge has prompted Estonia to accuse Russia of weaponizing immigration on Europe’s eastern borders. During a meeting of Nordic and Baltic defense ministers in Stockholm, Estonia’s defense minister, Hanno Pevkur, claimed that the arrival of hundreds of people at the borders of the two countries was a “fully state-orchestrated” operation by Moscow. Latvia’s defense minister, Andris Sprūds, went a step further, blaming Russian President Vladimir Putin as the “puppet master” behind the situation.
The Rise in Asylum Seekers:
Since the beginning of November, approximately 800 refugees and migrants have entered Finland, prompting authorities to close most border crossings and seek assistance from the European border guard agency, Frontex. Estonia has also experienced an increase in asylum seekers, with 75 people attempting to enter the country in just a few days. This sudden influx has raised suspicions and led Estonia to accuse Russia of mounting a “hybrid attack operation” on Europe’s eastern border.
Estonia’s Allegations:
Estonia’s defense minister, Hanno Pevkur, expressed skepticism about the origin and circumstances of the migrant flow. He questioned how hundreds of migrants from Yemen, Syria, and Somalia ended up at one border crossing point in Finland during winter. Pevkur argued that this was not plausible and suggested that the situation was a result of “weaponized illegal immigration” orchestrated by Russia. He praised Finland’s reaction and emphasized the need for countries to adapt their responses as the situation evolves.
Refugee Advocates’ Concerns:
While Estonia and Finland have taken measures to close their borders, refugee advocates warn that such actions may force asylum seekers to take more dangerous routes to seek sanctuary. Closing borders could lead to an increase in illegal migration and put vulnerable individuals at risk.
Accusations Against Russia:
Latvia’s defense minister, Andris Sprūds, echoed Estonia’s allegations and directly implicated Russian President Vladimir Putin as the mastermind behind the arrival of asylum seekers on the Finnish and Estonian borders. Sprūds claimed that there was no doubt about Putin’s involvement and referred to him as the “puppet master.”
Implications for Sweden’s NATO Membership:
The meeting of defense ministers also coincided with growing impatience in Sweden over its continued wait to become a NATO member. Turkey recently informed NATO that it would not be ready to ratify Sweden’s membership in time for the alliance’s meeting of foreign ministers. Sweden’s defense minister, Pål Jonson, expressed a sense of urgency for Sweden to join NATO, emphasizing its importance for Nordic-Baltic cooperation.
Support for Swedish NATO Membership:
Norway’s defense minister, Bjørn Arild Gram, voiced his support for Sweden’s NATO membership, stating that it was long overdue. He expressed optimism about Sweden’s accession happening in the near future and highlighted the country’s potential to strengthen and deepen NATO.
Discussion on Military Support and Defense Infrastructure:
The defense ministers also discussed topics such as continued military support for Ukraine and the defense of critical offshore infrastructure. Estonia called for greater power to board vessels in international waters, while Norway emphasized the importance of cooperation with the private sector following suspected sabotage of gas pipelines.
Conclusion:
The surge in asylum seekers attempting to enter Estonia and Finland has raised concerns and led to accusations that Russia is weaponizing immigration on Europe’s eastern borders. Estonia’s defense minister, Hanno Pevkur, claimed that the situation was a fully state-orchestrated operation by Moscow. While border closures may address immediate security concerns, refugee advocates warn that they could lead to more dangerous migration routes. The meeting of defense ministers also highlighted Sweden’s ongoing wait to become a NATO member and the importance of strengthening defense infrastructure in the region.
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