By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Finland authorities say it will significantly limit passenger traffic at its border with Russia, banning Russian citizens travelling with tourist visas from entering the Nordic country, effective from Friday.
“The decision in principle aims to completely prevent Russian tourism to Finland and the related transit through Finland,” Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto said at a news conference on Thursday.
The government says the continued arrival of Russian tourists in Finland is endangering the country’s international relations without providing further information.
As of September 1, Finland slashed the number of visas — including for tourism purposes — issued to Russian citizens to one-tenth of the typical number, a move that was seen as a show of solidarity with Ukraine.
