Despite the ongoing political strikes affecting rail transport and the war in Ukraine entering its third year, Finland continues to receive imports of Russian nickel and fertilizers. The government’s closure of checkpoints on the Russian border has not halted these deliveries, as neither commodity is currently subject to EU sanctions imposed on Russia. These critical raw materials, essential for global food security and various industrial applications, including the green transition, are still flowing into Finland under existing regulations.
Nickel, utilized in a vast array of products from stainless steel and batteries to mobile phones, is transported to the Nornickel Harjavalta plant, the EU’s only large-scale nickel smelter, which is part of the Russian mining and metallurgical conglomerate Nornickel. Despite Vladimir Potanin, Nornickel’s major owner and a figure closely associated with President Vladimir Putin, facing sanctions from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada, the EU has not sanctioned him, allowing business operations to continue as usual.
Meanwhile, fertilizers are shipped from Russia to the Port of Kotka, with operations managed by the Russian-owned port operator Fertilog. Despite inquiries, Fertilog has not commented on the matter. The transports, handled by North Rail, a subsidiary of Finnish company Nurminen Logistics, have connections to Russian investors, raising concerns among experts about the implications for funding Russia’s military actions.
Despite political strikes, these transports have not been interrupted, with Nurminen Logistics citing instructions from Finnish authorities to continue operations under a ‘protection principle.’ However, state agencies and government ministries have not confirmed any special provisions for these transports. 
