HELSINKI, July 6 (Xinhua) -- Non-essential travel by Russian citizens to and through Finland to other Schengen area countries will continue to be restricted, and restrictions will be tightened for business travelers, property owners and students, Finland's Foreign Affairs Ministry said in a press release on Thursday.
Business travelers will only be allowed to enter Finland, which means that transit to other countries will be prohibited. They will be required to have an "essential reason to come to Finland in person." Property owners will also be required to provide grounds for their personal presence in the country.
Students will only be allowed to participate in programs or studies leading to a degree (such as exchange programs).
Earlier on Thursday, Russia's Foreign Ministry announced the expulsion of nine Finnish diplomats and the closure of Finland's consulate in St. Petersburg effective on Oct. 1, 2023.
In response, Finland's President Sauli Niinisto said that his country was preparing counter-measures, noting on Twitter that the counterpart of the Finnish consulate in St. Petersburg is Russia's consulate in Turku, western Finland.
On June 6, Finland expelled nine employees of the Russian Embassy, prompting Russia's Foreign Ministry to say that they would "react accordingly." ■