Finland is preparing to close its eastern border with Russia, foreign affairs and security policy sources say. Prime Minister Petteri Orpo's government is discussing the possibility of closing border crossings as early as midnight Tuesday to Wednesday.

The Government Council is expected to make a decision at its next meeting, after which the border posts will be closed the next day. So far there have been no official messages from the Government Council.

The decision follows a previous move by Finland, which decided last Thursday to close four border crossings - Vaalimaa, Nuijamaa, Imatra and Niirala. These crossings have been closed to traffic since Saturday.

Such measures become part of Finland's wide-ranging response to the current geopolitical situation and tensions with Russia.