Two NATO states ready to start production of anti-personnel mines for Ukraine

Lithuania and Finland, which recently withdrew from the Ottawa Convention banning the production of anti-personnel mines, are planning to start producing and supplying them to Ukraine, Reuters has reported.

Thus, Lithuanian Deputy Defence Minister Karolis Aleksa said that the country was going to invest significant funds, estimated at hundreds of millions of euros, in the creation of facilities for the production of both anti-tank and anti-personnel mines.

Lithuania plans to order tens of thousands of these munitions in the near future, with the possibility of increasing volumes in the future. As production develops, the country intends to supply mines not only to Ukraine, but also to other countries," Aleksa explained.

Finland has also declared its readiness to start production of anti-personnel mines. Four major defence companies in the country - Nammo Lapua, Insta, Raikka and Forcit Explosives - have expressed interest in participating in these projects. In particular, Heikki Auto, chairman of the Finnish parliament's defence committee, noted that anti-personnel mines are a "highly effective and cost-effective weapon". He added that Finland is ready to supply such mines to Ukraine, emphasising that supporting Ukraine is not only a duty but also an important step for Finland's own security.

We support Ukraine because it is the right thing to do and necessary for our own security," Autho said.