Finland is considering banning Russian citizens from buying real estate in the country, and a final decision could be made as early as this spring, the Finnish defense minister has announced. Said Monday.
Tensions between the Nordic country and Moscow have risen sharply since Helsinki’s invasion of Ukraine It temporarily closed its border with Russia last month after a surge in illegal immigration that it said was aided by the Kremlin.
“Some Russians [real estate] Finland’s Defense Minister Antti Häkkanen said in an interview with Finnish media that these transactions were found to have troubling links for national security.
“But we don’t necessarily know everything. That’s why a total ban is better,” Hakkanen was quoted as saying.
The move would reverse previous Finnish government recommendations to avoid such a ban, which was explained at the time as follows: “Inefficient and inappropriate”
Hakanen said the city of Helsinki is currently seeking a “legal solution” that would allow for a total ban on real estate transactions involving Russian nationals, adding that the Russian government could use its “soft spots” to exploit Western societies. accused of trying to destabilize the country.
He said the government’s decision is expected to be made this spring.
“Furthermore, the background of properties that have already been sold will be investigated and the use of intermediaries in transactions will be more strictly restricted,” Hakkanen warned.
The announcement comes a week after the Finnish Ministry of Defense blocked Three real estate transactions involving unidentified purchasers from non-EU countries.
Hakanen said the government plans to tighten all real estate transactions by individuals and companies outside the European Union, Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein.