The ban applies to all cars with Russian license plates, regardless of the nationality of the driver. Cars with Russian license plates that are already in Finland will have to leave the country within six months, that is by March 16, 2024.

The Finnish government said the ban was imposed in order to synchronize its policy with the EU's common line on sanctions against Russia. The EU imposed a number of sanctions on Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine, including a ban on the sale of cars to Russia.

The ban on cars under Russian registration is the latest in a series of measures that Finland has taken to tighten its ties with the West and distance itself from Russia. In May, Finland applied for NATO membership, a move that is strongly opposed by Russia.

The ban on cars under Russian registration is likely to have a significant impact on Russian citizens who live in Finland or who travel to Finland for business or tourism. However, the Finnish government said that there would be exemptions for EU citizens permanently residing in Russia, their family members, diplomats, or people coming for humanitarian reasons.

The ban is also likely to have a symbolic impact, as it is seen as a further sign of Finland's commitment to the West and its opposition to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. (ILKHA)