LONDON

The defense ministers of Nordic and Baltic countries said Thursday they are in close contact with Finland amid an influx of irregular migrants from Russia.

Gathering at Karlberg Palace in Stockholm, Sweden, they discussed regional defense strategies, collective security and support for Ukraine.

Later, Swedish Defense Minister Pal Jonson held a joint press conference with his Norwegian counterpart Bjorn Arild Gram, Latvian counterpart Andris Spruds and Estonia's Hanno Pevkur.

In response to a question on whether the ministers see the influx of irregular migrants from Russia as a threat to Nordic and Baltic countries, Jonson said: "We are concerned about the activity near the Finnish border. We observed a similar situation in 2015."

"I think Frontex can play an important role. I also think that Europol can play an important role in this regard as well," he added.

The European Border and Coast Guard Agency, commonly known as Frontex, is an agency of the European Union headquartered in Warsaw, Poland.

Europol, headquartered in The Hague, the Netherlands, supports its member states in preventing and combating all forms of serious international and organized crime, cybercrime and terrorism.

Noting that the irregular migrant issue was among the agenda items discussed by the ministers, Jonson said they are staying in "close bilateral contact" with Finland about the situation.

"I think Finland is well prepared as well," he said, referring to measures taken by Helsinki.

On Nov. 16, Finland announced its decision to close four border crossings with Russia from midnight of Nov. 17 in response to suspicions that Russian officials had allowed undocumented asylum seekers to arrive at the Finnish border in growing numbers.

The following day, Helsinki issued another statement warning that the government was prepared to take additional action if the decision to close the four border crossing points did not help calm the situation on the eastern border with Russia.

Weaponization of illegal immigration

Defining the situation as a "threat to national security," Estonia's Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur noted that everyone needs to be "very careful" when hundreds or thousands of people try to cross borders.

He accused Russia of being behind the increasing activity of irregular migrants.

"We all have to understand that in Russia, there is a border zone which is controlled fully by the FSB (Federal Security Service), up to 10 kilometers (6.2 miles). To enter that zone, you need state permission. So that means that all these people are there on state permission."

Latvia's Defense Minister Andris Spruds defined the issue as the "weaponization of illegal immigration" and "attacks" by pointing to similar incidents that happened in the past.

Touching on the importance of coordination to tackle the issue, he said that migration is being "absolutely weaponized" today.

Mentioning that his country also has a border with Russia, Norway's Defense Minister Bjorn Arild Gram said border crossing activity had been reduced in the last couple of years.

Saying that their border with Russia is still open, however, he noted that they are "following this very closely and are also prepared to take further measures if necessary, even closing it if that is necessary."

"But we are not there yet," he said, reiterating that they will continue to follow the situation "very closely."

Earlier, Russia rejected accusations by Finland that Russian border officials are systematically pushing irregular migrants into the northern European country.