Ukraine's National Anthem Greets Russian Tourists In Finland

Finland’s top tourist draw, the city of Imatra, has opened its daily show of the Imatranskoski rapids since July by playing the Ukrainian national anthem to protest the invasion of Ukraine and greet Russian tourists, Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported.

Photo Insert: The Imatranskoski rapids

Finland, which shares a 1,300-kilometer (800-mile) eastern border with Russia, is also preparing to limit tourist visas issued for Russians.

"This is bad for the Russians who love Finland," says Mark Kosykh, a 44-year-old Russian tourist who has come to see the rapids with his family.

"But we understand the government of Finland," he adds. Kosykh emphasizes that there are Russians who do not like the war. "Not all Russians are for Putin. The government and all people must understand this."

Also in the nearby city of Lappeenranta, the Ukrainian national anthem is played every evening above its city hall, overlooking shopping centers popular with Russian tourists.

"The aim is to express strong support for Ukraine and to condemn the war of aggression," Lappeenranta's Mayor Kimmo Jarva told AFP. A poll published last week by Finnish public broadcaster Yle showed 58 percent of Finns in favor of restricting Russian tourist visas.

"In my opinion, they should be restricted very strongly. I don't see any other way to make Russian politicians think," Lappeenranta local Antero Ahtiainen, 57, says. Although he has nothing against individual tourists, Ahtiainen says his relationship with Russians has changed.

Spurred by the rising discontent, Finland's Foreign Minister presented a plan last week to limit tourist visas issued to Russians. The Nordic country remains Russia's only EU neighbor without restrictions on tourist visas to Russian citizens. As flights from Russia to the EU have been halted, Finland has become a transit country for many Russians seeking to travel further into Europe.

"Many saw this as a circumvention of the sanctions regime," Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto told AFP. Although the Schengen regime and Finnish law do not allow for an outright ban on visas based on nationality, Finland can reduce visa numbers issued based on category, Haavisto noted.

"Tourism category can be restricted in the terms of how many visas can be applied for in a day," Haavisto said. Haavisto said he believed the final decision to adopt the plan could be taken by the end of the month.

WEEKLY FEATURE : MVP Group Keeps Lights On During Pandemic