This article examines cross-border prostitution in the border areas of Finland, Estonia and the Russian Federation, concentrating on male Finnish sex buyers. One of the most active prostitution markets in Europe is found in this region, largely because of the considerable gap in the standard of living between Finland and its eastern neighbors. Against the background of global, gendered and ethnic inequalities, this article aims at positioning the male client in the regional prostitution scene. It argues that globalization processes have created a new space for the sex trade beyond state borders which may have opened up new opportunities for women from the post-Soviet and developing countries, but has also created new spaces of action for ‘western’ sex buyers.
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