Finland has become the latest country that shares a border with Russia to announce a plan to withdraw from a treaty banning anti-personnel landmines.
Prime Minister Petteri Orpo told reporters on Tuesday that the most important goals of Finland's foreign and security policies are to secure the country's independence and territorial integrity.
He also announced that the government will increase the ratio of defense spending to the gross domestic product from current 2.4 percent to at least 3 percent by 2029.
The Ottawa Convention prohibits the use, stockpiling, production and transfer of anti-personnel landmines. It has more than 160 signatories including Japan and Ukraine, but Russia is not party to the treaty.
Finland shares a 1,300-kilometer border with Russia. The Soviet Union invaded the Nordic nation during World War Two and seized part of its territory.
After Russia began its invasion of Ukraine, Finland joined NATO in 2023.
The three Baltic states and Poland announced in March that they will withdraw from the convention. The four countries also share borders with Russia.
The neighboring countries are wary of becoming targets of a Russian invasion in the future.
Prime Minister Petteri Orpo told reporters on Tuesday that the most important goals of Finland's foreign and security policies are to secure the country's independence and territorial integrity.
He also announced that the government will increase the ratio of defense spending to the gross domestic product from current 2.4 percent to at least 3 percent by 2029.
The Ottawa Convention prohibits the use, stockpiling, production and transfer of anti-personnel landmines. It has more than 160 signatories including Japan and Ukraine, but Russia is not party to the treaty.
Finland shares a 1,300-kilometer border with Russia. The Soviet Union invaded the Nordic nation during World War Two and seized part of its territory.
After Russia began its invasion of Ukraine, Finland joined NATO in 2023.
The three Baltic states and Poland announced in March that they will withdraw from the convention. The four countries also share borders with Russia.
The neighboring countries are wary of becoming targets of a Russian invasion in the future.
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Summary
Finland intends to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention banning anti-personnel landmines, citing security concerns as the primary reason. This decision comes in response to Russia's non-compliance with the treaty. The Finnish government plans to increase defense spending to at least 3% of GDP by
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ID: 864a3c8a-dff0-442e-bb03-ecf846c69d97
Category ID: nhk
URL: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20250402_02/
Date: April 2, 2025
Created: 2025/04/02 07:00
Updated: 2025/12/08 05:09
Last Read: 2025/04/02 09:08