European Council President Charles Michel has expressed support for Finland, which has decided to curtail border crossings from Russia due to migration pressure.

The official expressed on Twitter his complete solidarity with Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo and Finland over their decision to restrict crossings on the eastern border.

"Grateful for Finland’s effective efforts to protect Europe’s external border. Attempts by Russia to instrumentalise vulnerable migrants will be met with appropriate response," Michel tweeted.

Full solidarity with @petteriorpo and Finland for the decision to restrict crossings on the Eastern border. Grateful for Finland’s effective efforts to protect Europe’s external border.

Attempts by Russia to instrumentalise vulnerable migrants will be met with appropriate…

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— Charles Michel (@CharlesMichel) November 20, 2023

Last Thursday, Finland decided to close the Vaalimaa, Nuijamaa, Imatra and Niirala border crossing points due to a surge in illegal migration. They have been closed to traffic since Saturday.

Finnish border guards have reported that an exceptionally massive number of people with no entry documents have tried to enter Finland through checkpoints on the southeastern border in recent months.

Media reports suggested that Finland was ready to close the remaining checkpoints still operating on the border with Russia on the night of 21-22 November over Russia's use of illegal migrants as weapons.