HELSINKI (NEWSnet/AP) — Finland's government said Thursday it will extend closure of its border with Russia for another two months, until April 14, because it sees no evidence Moscow is stopping flow of migrants.

Finland closed the 830-mile land border in late 2023 after about 1,300 migrants without proper documentation or visas had arrived across the frontier since September.

The government said “instrumentalized migration” from Russia poses “a serious threat to Finland’s national security and public order.”

Based on the information provided by the border, security and other authorities to the Cabinet, it is likely migration would resume if border crossing points were opened at the eastern border, the government said.

“We have seen no signs that Russia is changing its behavior,” Interior Minister Mari Rantanen said. “On the contrary, the information we have received confirms our assessment that Russia is continuing its hybrid operation,”  “We have reason to believe that this situation will continue for some time.”

According to Rantanen, there are “hundreds, if not thousands, of migrants” staying close to the border on Russia’s side and waiting for the chance to cross into Finland.

In comments given to RIA Novosti, Russia Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova oaccused Finland’s government of an unwillingness to hold dialogue on the border situation.

“Helsinki stubbornly refuses to discuss with us the threats allegedly posed to Finland’s security from Russia’s side of the border," Zakharova was quoted as saying by RIA Novosti.

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