Representatives of the two NATO member states told Reuters that they plan to start cooperation next year on the production of anti-personnel mines to arm themselves and support Ukraine.
Both countries share a border with Russia and have decided to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention, which bans the use of such mines, because of their aggressive neighbor. Production is planned to begin as soon as the six-month withdrawal process is completed. Three more NATO and European Union members – Poland, Latvia and Estonia – have decided to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention. The reason for this decision is the threat posed by Russia. Although Poland, Latvia and Estonia have not announced plans to start producing mines, such a plan is being considered.
Ukraine has also decided to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention to better protect itself from Russia, which has never joined the ban on the use of anti-personnel mines.
The decision by Finland and Lithuania highlights growing concerns in Europe that Russia’s military ambitions could extend beyond Ukraine. NATO countries have also decided to significantly increase defense spending, reaching 5% of GDP.
Lithuania’s Deputy Defense Minister Karolis Aleksa told Reuters that millions of euros are planned to be invested in the production of both anti-tank and anti-personnel mines.
“Our national industry will be one of the sources. Our industry can make these,”
Karolis said. Lithuania shares a 274-kilometer border with Russia and a 679-kilometer border with Belarus.
Once production is established, Lithuania will also be able to supply mines to Ukraine. The Russian Defense Ministry did not respond to a request for comment from Reuters.
Finland has the longest border with Russia among NATO countries, at 1,340 kilometers. Heikki Autto, chairman of its parliament’s defense committee, said Finland needed to produce its own mines. Like the Lithuanians, the Finns are also considering supplying mines to Ukraine: “Supporting Ukraine is not only our duty and the right thing to do, it is also important for Finland’s own security.” Before joining the Ottawa Convention in 2011, Helsinki had more than one million anti-personnel mines at its disposal.
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