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Jose Garcia

(3,163 posts) Tue Apr 1, 2025, 09:20 AM Apr 1

Finland to exit landmines treaty, hike defence spending given Russia threat, PM says

Source: Reuters

HELSINKI, April 1 (Reuters) - NATO member Finland plans to quit a global convention banning anti-personnel landmines and boost defence spending to at least 3% of GDP by 2029 in response to the evolving military threat from Russia, the government said on Tuesday.

Poland and the Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania said last month they would withdraw from the 1997 Ottawa convention due to threats posed by neighbouring Russia.

By leaving the treaty, Finland, which guards NATO's longest border with Russia, could start stockpiling landmines again to have them at hand should a need arise.

Prime Minister Petteri Orpo told a press conference there was no immediate military threat to his Nordic nation, but that Russia poses a long-term danger to all of Europe.

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/finland-plans-withdraw-landmines-treaty-prime-minister-says-2025-04-01/

6 replies

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Highlight:

Finland to exit landmines treaty, hike defence spending given Russia threat, PM says (Original Post) Jose Garcia Apr 1 OP

Russia, China, US causing marked increase in world military spending. Irish_Dem Apr 1 #1

and it is true about the USA!!Less money to spend on education, healthcare, safety nets. riversedge Apr 1 #5

Invading other countries is not cheap. Irish_Dem Apr 1 #6

It's a shame that neighboring countries are being forced to protect themselves from Russia using landmines, Martin68 Apr 1 #2

Given their history w/ Russia ("Finlandization") maxsolomon Apr 1 #3

Completely justified. EllieBC Apr 1 #4

Irish_Dem

(68,614 posts)

1. Russia, China, US causing marked increase in world military spending.

Reply to Jose Garcia (Original post)

Tue Apr 1, 2025, 09:27 AM

Apr 1

Less money to spend on education, healthcare, safety nets.

The world will spend all its money on WAR.

riversedge

(75,188 posts)

5. and it is true about the USA!!Less money to spend on education, healthcare, safety nets.

Reply to Irish_Dem (Reply #1)

Tue Apr 1, 2025, 02:38 PM

Apr 1

Irish_Dem

(68,614 posts)

6. Invading other countries is not cheap.

Reply to riversedge (Reply #5)

Tue Apr 1, 2025, 02:40 PM

Apr 1

Russia's economy is in the toilet now.

Martin68

(25,537 posts)

2. It's a shame that neighboring countries are being forced to protect themselves from Russia using landmines,

Reply to Jose Garcia (Original post)

Tue Apr 1, 2025, 10:35 AM

Apr 1

but I consider it entirely justified.

maxsolomon

(36,391 posts)

3. Given their history w/ Russia ("Finlandization")

Reply to Jose Garcia (Original post)

Tue Apr 1, 2025, 12:15 PM

Apr 1

They clearly feel a defensible border is needed.

EllieBC

(3,445 posts)

4. Completely justified.

Reply to Jose Garcia (Original post)

Tue Apr 1, 2025, 12:28 PM

Apr 1

They have a very hostile neighbor. We up here are learning what happens when you let your defense fall down to almost 0 levels and then you find out your neighbor is hostile. You should never ever ever count on the world to save you.

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