Finland Boosts Defense: Seeks One Million Landmines Amidst Russian Threat

Finland is planning to acquire one million anti-personnel mines, a move that will involve an investment of 100 million euros ($112 million). This initiative follows Helsinki's withdrawal, along with several regional neighbors, from a United Nations compact that prohibits the use of such weapons. The decision to exit the Ottawa Convention last year was prompted by increasing concerns over Moscow's alleged hybrid warfare tactics against Ukraine supporters and potential military provocations.

Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland, all strong allies of Ukraine, have also withdrawn from the agreement, citing the perceived threat from Moscow. Colonel Riku Mikkonen of the Army Command stated that Finnish officials are currently gathering information from potential suppliers for this acquisition. The goal is for domestic manufacturers to supply the mines, with contracts expected by the end of 2027 and production commencing by 2028. Mikkonen noted that having Finnish companies produce these mines domestically would be beneficial in multiple ways, and approximately six Finnish firms are considered capable of fulfilling such contracts. However, he added that sourcing the mines from abroad has not been entirely ruled out at this stage.

Finland, which shares a substantial 1,340-kilometer (830-mile) border with Russia, had joined the Ottawa Convention in 2012. This treaty aims to eliminate anti-personnel landmines and destroy existing stockpiles. However, citing a deteriorating security climate, Finland announced its withdrawal in April 2025 and ceased to be bound by the treaty in January of the same year. The country has intensified its defenses since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine and has reported incidents of migrants being pushed across its eastern border.

In related developments, Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen urged the European Union to suspend tourist visas for Russian citizens until the conflict in Ukraine concludes. She argued that it is inappropriate for Russian citizens to enjoy European freedoms while their country is engaged in military actions against Ukraine. Valtonen highlighted that Schengen countries issued nearly half a million tourist visas to Russians in 2025, noting that Finland itself banned such visas in 2022 and advocating for the rest of the EU to adopt a similar policy.