The Finnish government intends to completely ban Russian citizens from real estate transactions in spring 2024, the country’s Defense Minister Antti Hakkenen said on January 15.
The Helsingin Sanomat newspaper reported that the “exploration of the necessary legal solutions” to implement the ban is currently underway.
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The 12th round of EU sanctions against Russia provided an opportunity to confiscate real estate and businesses of those targeted for sanctions, the defense minister added.
The Finnish government’s decision to restrict such transactions does not require legislative action in Parliament.
“Certain decisions may already be taken in the spring,” Hakkenen said.
“Real estate already sold to Russian nationals will be investigated, and future real estate transactions by Russian nationals in Finland will be completely prohibited.”
Also read: Finland plans to stop importing gas from Russia by 2025
On November 6, Finland announced the closure of four borders with Russia. This restriction will remain in effect until February 18, 2024, but may be extended.
Finland then closed all checkpoints on its border with Russia on November 30th.
The decision was taken in response to an increasing number of illegal third-country nationals seeking asylum arriving at the Finnish border with the assistance of Russian border guards.
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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine