Lithuania and Finland plan to start production of anti-personnel landmines in 2024, withdrawing from the Ottawa Convention to strengthen their security and support Ukraine.

Lithuania and Finland, in the face of Russian threats, have decided to produce anti-personnel mines, withdrawing from the Ottawa Convention. Along with Poland, Latvia and Estonia, these countries are increasing their defense capabilities and plan to support Ukraine. Lithuanian and Finnish officials underline the importance of this step for national and regional security, stressing the need to have their own resources to meet security challenges. Production could start quickly and the mines would be stockpiled for use when needed, without creating peacetime minefields.