EU deploys border agents to Finland amid increase in asylum seeker arrivals: Analysis

The European Union’s border protection agency, Frontex, will be sending 50 officers to Finland due to a rise in asylum seeker arrivals at its eastern border with Russia. Frontex announced on Thursday that along with border guard officers and other staff, the agency will also provide equipment such as patrol cars to support Finland’s border control operations. This reinforcement is expected to be on the ground as early as next week.

On Wednesday, Finland revealed that it would close all of its border crossings with Russia except for the northernmost one following an increase in undocumented migrant arrivals. Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo blamed the Russian authorities for facilitating the entry of migrants and described it as a “systematic and organized action.” Finland’s Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen stated that Russia was using migrants as part of its “hybrid warfare” against Finland.

It is worth noting that Finland joined NATO in April and shares a 1,300-kilometer (800-mile) border with Russia, serving as the EU’s external border and NATO’s northeastern flank. Moscow has denied the allegations that it is directing desperate asylum seekers towards the Finnish border.

Border officials reported that over 600 asylum seekers have entered Finland from Russia in November, a significant increase compared to September and October when only a few dozen arrived. The asylum seekers primarily came from countries such as Yemen, Afghanistan, Kenya, Morocco, Pakistan, Somalia, and Syria, with most being young men in their 20s, but some were families with children.

Frontex Head Hans Leijtens, without explicitly mentioning Russia, stated that the agency is providing support to Finland to address “hybrid challenges.” He emphasized the unity of Europe in offering tangible assistance when faced with complex border issues. Currently, Frontex has 10 officers stationed at Finland’s borders.

This situation in Finland is not unique, as in 2021, thousands of asylum seekers became stranded at the border between Poland and Belarus, with Lithuania and Latvia also witnessing a significant increase in border crossings. The EU and Warsaw accused Belarus of enticing migrants and refugees, pushing them towards the EU with promises of easy entry, and attributed the crisis to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s involvement.

Analysis:
In evaluating the credibility of the sources in this article, it is worth noting that the information is primarily attributed to Frontex, the European Union’s border protection agency. Frontex is generally considered a reliable source when it comes to matters related to border control and migration issues within the EU. The statements made by Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo and Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen could potentially be biased as they are directly involved in the situation and hold positions within the Finnish government. The denial from Moscow regarding allegations of funneling migrants towards the Finnish border should be considered a counterpoint in the analysis.

The presentation of facts in the article is relatively straightforward, highlighting the increase in asylum seeker arrivals at the Finnish-Russian border and the response from Frontex and the Finnish government. The article provides information on the countries of origin of the asylum seekers and includes border guard data and photos from news outlets to support the claims. However, it would be beneficial to have more context on the reasoning behind Finland’s accusation of Russia’s involvement as part of “hybrid warfare.” Additionally, insights into the specific measures that will be taken by Frontex and Finland to address the situation would enhance the comprehensiveness of the article.

As for potential biases, the article includes accusations against Russia from Finnish officials, framing the situation as part of Russia’s “hybrid warfare” against Finland. While these claims should be taken seriously, it is crucial to consider the interests and political dynamics between Finland and Russia, especially with Finland’s recent NATO membership. The article does not delve into the broader geopolitical context, which could affect the portrayal of the situation.

Overall, the article provides a general overview of the increase in asylum seeker arrivals at the Finnish-Russian border and the response from Frontex and the Finnish government. However, it lacks in-depth analysis of the underlying geopolitical factors and could benefit from more context and information regarding the measures being taken to address the situation.

In terms of the impact of this information, it is possible that it contributes to the public perception of a security threat and reinforces existing narratives of Russia’s involvement in hybrid warfare tactics. This can further shape public opinion and influence policy decisions related to border control and migration. It is crucial for the public to critically assess the information presented, consider various perspectives, and be aware of potential biases or misinformation that may exist within the news landscape.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/11/23/eu-deploys-border-agents-to-finland-amid-increase-in-asylum-seeker-arrivals