After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, flight cancellations and airspace closures, the Russians found themselves isolated from Europe. However, the Russians have found an alternative “window” for fleeing to Europe without extremely long flights – a border crossing with Norway, located beyond the Arctic Circle.
According to the Norwegian newspaper VG, a large number of people are registered at the border near Kirkenes to get to Europe or return to their country.
It will be recalled that the EU closed its airspace to Russian aircraft in early March due to the start of Russia’s war in Ukraine. As the airspace was closed, most airlines canceled their flights and Russian travelers lost direct and convenient flights to Europe and back. Detours through transit countries significantly increased travel time and increased travel costs.
The taxi driver, who oversaw the transport of tourists between Kirkenes, Norway, and Murmansk, Russia, said Kirkenes’ border is one of the few logistics routes for those who want to have a “window” between the West and Russia. Other routes available to Russians run through Istanbul and Dubai.
According to the owner of the company, the route through Kirkenes is especially popular among people who usually fly from Moscow to Oslo and back. “Those who usually fly on the Oslo-Moscow route come here to Kirkenes, then we take them across the border to Murmansk, and from there they fly domestic flights to Moscow,” he explained.
Also read: The EU has announced how to build an iron curtain for Russians with visas
It turned out that those who enter Europe mostly do so for business purposes or to visit their relatives. However, according to the Norwegian authorities, there are no deterrents that prohibit Russian citizens who have a Schengen visa, residence permit or other document from entering Norway through the border checkpoint in Kirkenes.
The EU has already agreed on a fifth package of restrictive measures against Russia, including a ban on Russian-flagged vessels entering EU ports. Norway and Russia have had stable fishing cooperation for a very long time. However, the new sanctions are about to call into question this cooperation. However, if Norway adopts this sanctions package, local authorities are ready to make some adjustments and apply certain exceptions for several categories, said Norwegian Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Bjornar Schiaran.
In addition to Norway’s plans to impose new restrictions, it has already sent three Russian diplomats. Authorities explained that the decision was made due to the fact that the actions of Russian officials did not correspond to their diplomatic status.
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