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

[Jose Garcia]

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/

[Irish_Dem]

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

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

The world will spend all its money on WAR.

[riversedge]

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

[Irish_Dem]

6. Invading other countries is not cheap.

Russia's economy is in the toilet now.

[Martin68]

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

but I consider it entirely justified.

[maxsolomon]

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

They clearly feel a defensible border is needed.

[EllieBC]

4. Completely justified.

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.