The European Commission unveiled a plan on Wednesday aimed at rescuing economically distressed border areas of the EU, particularly those affected by the war in Ukraine, including the regions bordering Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine. Unfortunately for Eastern Finland, which is part of this scheme, it appears that no new funding will be allocated to these areas, as reported by Politico. Instead, the focus of the support will primarily be on countries like Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and parts of Finland that have been significantly impacted by reduced investments, halted border movement, and a collapse in tourism due to the ongoing conflict.

The Commission's strategy does not propose any additional funding from the current EU budget, which is set to remain in place until 2028, indicating that the budget is already overburdened and no new financial resources can be committed. Local leaders, such as Niina Ratilainen—a member of the Turku City Council and participant in the EU Committee of the Regions—emphasized the importance of viable borders, stating that secure borders must also be economically vibrant.

There are rising concerns in Brussels and among local officials regarding the potential depopulation and security deterioration of the EU's easternmost regions. The lack of support and investment could exacerbate these issues, leading to further marginalization of these locations within the union. As Eastern Finland and similar areas face challenges, their ability to attract investment and retain residents becomes a pressing issue for both local governance and the greater stability of the EU's border integrity.