Norway may follow Finland’s lead and build fence along Russian border

September 30, 2024

Lauren Keenan, Anchor/Reporter

Full story

Norway’s leaders are evaluating the construction of a fence along its 123-mile border with Russia after Finland took similar action. Norway Justice Minister Emilie Enger Mehl confirmed that the country may erect a fence along part or all its border with Russia to enhance border security and address concerns over potential irregular migration.

Finland’s decision to construct a 120-mile-long fence along its Russian border came after an unprecedented influx of over 1,300 undocumented migrants in late 2023, shortly after joining NATO. Finland has repeatedly accused Russia of weaponizing immigration to sow crisis in the region.

Norway’s proposed fences would be equipped with sensors and technology capable of detecting movement near the border, providing a significant upgrade to Norway’s border security infrastructure.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre has indicated readiness to close the border on short notice if necessary.

The potential construction of a new border fence represents a significant shift in Nordic security strategy and could have broader implications for NATO’s northern flank.

Norway is a member of NATO, however, it is not a member of the European Union. It is part of the Schengen Area, made up of 29 European countries with no internal borders, allowing the free movement of people within the area.

The one border station between Norway and Russia, the Storskog Border Station, has been fortified since 2016 with a 650-foot-long fence in response to a significant influx of migrants and asylum-seekers in 2015.

Tags: Norway, Russia, Russia-Ukraine War, Vladimir Putin

Media landscape

Click on bars to see headlines

62 total sources

Key points from the Left

No summary available because of a lack of coverage.

Report an issue with this summary

No coverage from Far Left sources 0 sources
No coverage from Left sources 0 sources
See Hide headlines from Lean Left sources 10 sources

Key points from the Center

No summary available because of a lack of coverage.

Report an issue with this summary

See Hide headlines from Center sources 12 sources

Key points from the Right

No summary available because of a lack of coverage.

Report an issue with this summary

See Hide headlines from Lean Right sources 8 sources
See Hide headlines from Right sources 2 sources
- Norway is mulling building a fence on border with Russia, following Finland’s example
  Toronto Sun
- Norway Looks to Build Border Fence with Russia
  Breitbart
No coverage from Far Right sources 0 sources

Other (sources without bias rating):

See Hide headlines from Other sources 30 sources

Full story

Norway’s proposed fences would be equipped with sensors and technology capable of detecting movement near the border, providing a significant upgrade to Norway’s border security infrastructure.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre has indicated readiness to close the border on short notice if necessary.

The potential construction of a new border fence represents a significant shift in Nordic security strategy and could have broader implications for NATO’s northern flank.