Lithuania and Finland plan to begin producing anti-personnel mines next year, arguing this will strengthen their own defences and help supply Ukraine, officials from both countries confirmed to Reuters.
The two countries, which share borders with Russia, announced plans to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention, a 1997 international treaty that bans the use, stockpiling, production and transfer of anti-personnel mines. Production could begin as soon as the six-month withdrawal process is completed.
Three other NATO and European Union members – Poland, Latvia and Estonia – are also pulling out of the treaty, citing growing security concerns over Russia’s military actions. While those nations have not announced specific production plans, officials in Poland and Latvia said they could quickly launch manufacturing if necessary. Estonia is also considering the option.
Ukraine also announced its withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention, saying the move is necessary for its defence against Russia. Both have accused the other of using anti-personnel mines.
“We are going to spend hundreds of millions of euros on anti-tank mines, but also on anti-personnel mines. It will be a significant amount,” Lithuanian Deputy Defence Minister Karolis Aleksa told Reuters.
Aleksa said the country would procure tens of thousands of anti-personnel mines or more, relying in part on its domestic defence industry. “Our national industry will be one of the sources. Our industry can make these,” he said.
Once production begins, Lithuania would be able to export the mines, including to Ukraine, according to Vincas Jurgutis, head of the Lithuanian Defence Industry Association.
“Finland must, for security of supply, have its own (anti-landmines) production,” said Heikki Autto, chair of the Finnish parliament’s defence committee, adding that Finland could also supply mines to Ukraine. “It is not only right and our duty to support Ukraine, it is also important for Finland’s own security.”
Russia’s Ministry of Defence did not respond to a request for comment.
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