A new Iron Curtain? Finland bolsters border with neighbouring Russia

This week’s Focus, we turn to the tense frontier between Russia and Finland. The rapport between these neighbouring nations has soured significantly in the wake of Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine. Historically, their mutual border has been a theatre of confrontation and conflict. Currently, Finland is taking drastic measures by erecting a formidable barbed wire fence along this boundary. According to authorities in Helsinki, the intention behind this undertaking is twofold: ensuring the nation’s protection and enhancing scrutiny over entries from Russia.

Our reporters Julien Sauvaget and Clovis Casali got the chance to go to the border, visit this fence and also meet Finland’s former President who met several times with Vladimir Putin.

A meeting will focus on “strengthening of NATO’s presence in the Baltic Sea and responding to the threat posed by Russia’s shadow fleet”, according to a statement from the office of Finnish President Alexander Stubb.

Stubb is co-hosting the meeting with Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal.

NATO said in late December it would increase its presence in the region following the suspected sabotage of undersea cables between Finland and Estonia but it has yet to announce an official operation.

Last week, Finland said NATO would contribute two vessels to a monitoring mission in the Baltic Sea.

The British-led Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), which included Nordic and Baltic states as well as the Netherlands, also said it would increase its surveillance.

Sweden is sending up to three warships and a surveillance aircraft.

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