The war in Ukraine also made the Defense Forces change their earlier minerals, writes Maria Stenroos, ‘s NATO journalist.
Maria Stenroosnato Specialist Reporter
1.4. 20: 57 • Updated 1.4. 21:13
Finance minister Riikka bite (ps) said at the government’s press conference that only enemy soldiers enter Finnish mines.
The mines have once been abandoned in many countries precisely because they do not choose who they are triggered under the foot.
However, technical solutions have evolved, and, for example, accurate digital maps, for example, try to prevent bystanders from being damaged and facilitated.
The government made a policy today on Tuesdaywhere it connects the northwestern border of Finland to the “mine zone”. Finland is a fifth state that has announced that it will leave the Ottawa Treaty, which prohibits anti -personnel mines.
Russia has never joined the agreement, nor is the United States.
Poland was the first to return to the use of the mines, and immediately after that Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. The Finnish Defense Forces launched their own report at the end of last year and decided to find that the personalities would support Finland’s defense. The report is not public.
The head of Finland turned Changes in the security environment. At the same time, the idea that departure from the Ottawa agreement or the use of mines would soak Finnish reputation was printed in the background.
When the security situation has become tightened and the threat of Russia is considered real, the reputation is not the first to be in mind. The situation is also facilitated by Finland that there are many loose countries.
Mines are one part of new political realism, which is based on Russian aggression and the focus of the US in its interests. The need to strengthen European defense quickly also means raising defense budgets, which Finland announced today, and even the debate on European nuclear deterrent.
There is no discussion about anti -personnel mines in Finland Actually never ended. Particularly in the Finns and the center, there have always been politicians who have regarded the abandonment of infant minerals as a mistake.
When Finland decided to join the agreement in 2011, the solution had been prepared and chased for years over several government. The Finns voted against the solution and joined the central people.
The mine discussion has been strongly politicized. The debate has been colored by decision -makers at the time, and especially the president Tarja Halonen (sd.) Claus. According to Halonen, Finland had to have a strong defense because of its geopolitics or location, but he was driving a mine ban, because Halonen thought the mine blacks out in Finland’s reputation.
Times and decision -makers are now others. But the decision still involves politics.
Although the government officially relies on the mineral to the Defense Forces in its decision, Finland’s external and security policy was already well in advance of the completion of the Defense Forces report that Finland would leave Ottawa and enable mines.
President Alexander Stubb Has said it has in all cases prioritize Finnish security, and it is precisely the absolute security of Finland in the Miina decision, according to politicians.
Solutions in the Baltic States and the deterioration of the security situation have made the solution easier, including for opposition parties. Still, the mine -prospectus will still be somewhat distributed to Parliament, and the dispersion will probably also be within some parties.
According to the Ministry of Defense estimates that the mines are well suited to the Finnish long eastern border and its terrain and the use of the Reserve Army. They are simple and cheap to make and a scary weapon.
Before the Ukrainian war began, the Defense Forces did not publicly scream after the mines. The new technical weapons produce similar damage but more targeted.
Now, however, the simple, prohibited passive mines forbidden in the Ottawa agreement are justified by the fact that they significantly slow down the advocacy of the attacker’s infantry.
Personalities are one supplement that may be deployed when the Ottawa agreement has been removed. This does not mean that Finland or any other country mines its limits under normal circumstances.
Finland promises to use the weapon responsibly. Foreign minister Elina Valtonen (co.) Finland said that Finland is still defending international humanitarian rights and promises Finland to contribute to the reduction of the disadvantages of mines.