Poll reveals number of Finns opposing tourist visas for Russians — Analysis

Over half the respondents would like to see Russia stop issuing Russian tourists visas
More than half of Finns want their country to stop issuing tourist visas to Russian citizens, a poll by Finland’s state broadcaster Yle has shown.
The study published Thursday found that 58% support such a move while 24% oppose it. 18% remain undecided.
In the poll which was conducted in August among a thousand Finns, it also showed that men between 50-64 were most supportive of Russian tourist bans.
Russia and Finland share an 1,340-kilometer (832 mile) border. The Nordic country is a favorite destination for Russians for shopping and holidays.
About 20,000 Russians crossed daily into Finland to visit their relatives before the Covid-19 epidemic. The Covid-related travel restrictions that were placed in 2020 on visitors caused a drop in visitor numbers, however they are now at an upward trend since mid-July when both countries removed the restraints.
Serveral Finnish lawmakers have called for a tightening of visa rules for Russians in response to Moscow’s military operation in Ukraine.
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Finland can’t stop Russians from getting visas – media
Finland’s President Sauli Niinisto is expected to discuss the visa issue with the government on Thursday, according to the Helsingin Sanomat newspaper.
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