Another NATO Country Intends to Build a Barrier Against Russia
Justice Minister Emilie Mehl indicates that Norway could look to neighboring Finland for guidance regarding the issue of illegal migration. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Justice Minister Emilie Mehl has indicated that Norway might consider following Finland's example regarding its border security, particularly in relation to illegal migration.
Norway shares a 198km border with Russia and has previously taken steps to address illegal crossings, erecting a 200-meter-long barrier in 2016 to manage this issue.
Last April, Finland began constructing its own steel mesh fence, which plans to extend approximately 200km along its 1,340km border with Russia, with completion expected by the end of 2026.
The Finnish government has reported an increase in illegal crossing attempts originating from Russian territory since 2022, claiming that Moscow has been actively directing migrants from nations such as Somalia and Syria toward the border. However, Russia has labeled these allegations as “unsubstantiated.”
An NRK report from Saturday quoted Mehl, who noted the recently erected fence in Finland led her to contemplate a similar installation in Norway.
“The border fence is very interesting, not only because it can act as a deterrent, but also because it contains sensors and technology that allows you to detect if people are moving close to the border,” she stated.
Mehl pointed out that such a fence could be put in place along the entire Russian border, enabling Oslo to close the frontier quickly if necessary.
The initial barrier constructed by Norwegian authorities in 2016 faced criticism from various politicians and activists within the country.
Maksim Gurov, the press secretary of the Russian Embassy in Oslo, commented at that time, saying, “it is incomprehensible to us what practical necessity this fence will have.”
In recent years, multiple Nordic and Baltic nations have started similar fencing projects amid growing tensions between NATO and Russia linked to the conflict in Ukraine.
Norway, a founding NATO member, contrasts with Finland, which joined the military alliance in April 2023, having perceived an increase in security threats from Russia. This move marked a notable shift from Finland's long-standing policy of neutrality and a significant decrease in its historically close relations with Moscow.
Allen M Lee for TROIB News
Norway shares a 198km border with Russia and has previously taken steps to address illegal crossings, erecting a 200-meter-long barrier in 2016 to manage this issue.
Last April, Finland began constructing its own steel mesh fence, which plans to extend approximately 200km along its 1,340km border with Russia, with completion expected by the end of 2026.
The Finnish government has reported an increase in illegal crossing attempts originating from Russian territory since 2022, claiming that Moscow has been actively directing migrants from nations such as Somalia and Syria toward the border. However, Russia has labeled these allegations as “unsubstantiated.”
An NRK report from Saturday quoted Mehl, who noted the recently erected fence in Finland led her to contemplate a similar installation in Norway.
“The border fence is very interesting, not only because it can act as a deterrent, but also because it contains sensors and technology that allows you to detect if people are moving close to the border,” she stated.
Mehl pointed out that such a fence could be put in place along the entire Russian border, enabling Oslo to close the frontier quickly if necessary.
The initial barrier constructed by Norwegian authorities in 2016 faced criticism from various politicians and activists within the country.
Maksim Gurov, the press secretary of the Russian Embassy in Oslo, commented at that time, saying, “it is incomprehensible to us what practical necessity this fence will have.”
In recent years, multiple Nordic and Baltic nations have started similar fencing projects amid growing tensions between NATO and Russia linked to the conflict in Ukraine.
Norway, a founding NATO member, contrasts with Finland, which joined the military alliance in April 2023, having perceived an increase in security threats from Russia. This move marked a notable shift from Finland's long-standing policy of neutrality and a significant decrease in its historically close relations with Moscow.
Allen M Lee for TROIB News
