The countries of Latvia and Finland have signaled that they will reject Russians seeking asylum from mobilization. Al Jazeera reports:

Some Western nations have suggested they will not provide asylum or refuge to people fleeing Russia after President Vladimir Putin announced a partial mobilisation of reservists.

In a televised address on Wednesday, Putin, after speaking about Moscow’s nuclear weapons, warned Western countries that Russia will use all the means at its disposal to protect its territory, saying “this not a bluff”.

Soon after, Latvia, which borders Russia, said it will not offer refuge to any Russians escaping Moscow’s mobilisation of troops.

Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics wrote on Twitter: “Due to security reasons, Latvia will not issue humanitarian or other types of visas to those Russian citizens who avoid mobilisation.”

Meanwhile, Finland’s defence minister said it was closely monitoring the situation in neighbouring Russia, adding there were grounds for tightening the country’s visa policy for Russian citizens.

#Putin announced “partial” mobilisation and annexation of parts of #Ukraine. We must not give in to his blackmail and support Ukraine as much as we can. #Russia is as dangerous to Europe and the world’s peace today as Nazi Germany was in the last century #StandWithUkraine

— Edgars Rinkēvičs (@edgarsrinkevics) September 21, 2022

“Regarding Finland’s surroundings, I can say that the military situation is stable and calm,” Defence Minister Antti Kaikkonen said. “Our defence forces are well prepared and the situation is closely monitored.”