Latest news with #AlexanderStubb
Euronews
a day ago
- Politics
- Euronews
Finland votes to withdraw from landmine treaty due to Russia threat
Finland's parliament voted overwhelmingly on Thursday to withdraw from an international treaty banning anti-personnel landmines, citing the threat posed by Russia. Finnish lawmakers voted 157-18 in favour of a government proposal to leave the Ottawa Treaty. The 1997 agreement, which prohibits the use, production and transfer of anti-personnel mines, has been ratified or acceded to by more than 160 countries. NATO member Finland, which shares a 1,340-kilometre land border with Russia, has said landmines could be used to defend its vast and rugged terrain in the event of an attack. Russia has not joined the Ottawa Treat, and its full-scale invasion of Ukraine has turned the war-torn country into the world's most mine-laden nation, according to analysts. Several other European and NATO nations bordering Russia — Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland — have recently pulled out of the treaty or announced plans to do so. Finland's President Alexander Stubb defended the decision. "The reality in the endgame is that we have as our neighbouring country an aggressive, imperialist state called Russia, which itself is not a member of the Ottawa Treaty and which itself uses landmines ruthlessly," he said. Earlier this week, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres launched a global campaign to boost support for disarmament and mine action. He said he was "very concerned" by announcements and steps by several UN member countries to leave the Ottawa Treaty. In response, Finland's Defence Minister Antti Hakkanen said the "government and parliament have a duty to take measures that reduce Finland's risk of being attacked." "Protection against the Russian threat takes priority," he wrote on X on Tuesday. Under the treaty's rules, the withdrawal will take effect six months after Finland formally notifies the UN, at which point the country will be permitted to stockpile landmines. The US, China, India, Pakistan and South Korea are among the major nations to not have joined the pact. According to NATO, nearly 70 countries and territories are still affected by the presence of some 110 million land mines, which can remain dormant under the ground for many years before being triggered. At least 5,757 people — mostly civilians — were killed or wounded by landmines and unexploded ordnance in 2023, the NGO Landmine Monitor said.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Finnish parliament votes to exit landmines treaty due to Russia threat
HELSINKI (Reuters) -Finland's parliament voted on Thursday in favour of withdrawing from the Ottawa Convention that bans the use of anti-personnel landmines amid concerns over a military threat posed by neighbouring Russia. Finland joins other European Union and NATO members bordering Russia - Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Poland - in leaving or planning to leave the treaty, as fears grow about their much larger neighbour. President Alexander Stubb, who leads Finland's foreign and security policy, has defended the move. "The reality in the endgame is that we have as our neighbouring country an aggressive, imperialist state called Russia, which itself is not a member of the Ottawa Treaty and which itself uses landmines ruthlessly," he said. Russia has used landmines in its invasion of Ukraine. The Finnish decision follows similar votes in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, where parliaments have approved the withdrawal. Finland, which guards NATO's longest border with Russia, will be able to start stockpiling landmines six months after formally notifying other treaty members and the United Nations of its resignation. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Monday launched a new effort to "uphold the norms of humanitarian disarmament", urging all states to adhere to existing treaties and immediately halt any steps towards their withdrawal. "I am gravely concerned by recent announcements and steps taken by several Member States to withdraw from the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention," he said in a statement. In response to Guterres' concerns, Finland's Defence Minister Antti Hakkanen said the aim of the withdrawal was to protect civilians and minimise the loss of human lives. "I believe that our government and parliament have a duty to take measures that reduce Finland's risk of being attacked," the minister said on social media X. "Protection against the Russian threat takes priority," he added. Parliament on Thursday also agreed to permit land mine exports under usual arms sale control procedures.
Reuters
2 days ago
- Politics
- Reuters
Finnish parliament votes to exit landmines treaty due to Russia threat
HELSINKI, June 19 (Reuters) - Finland's parliament voted on Thursday in favour of withdrawing from the Ottawa Convention that bans the use of anti-personnel landmines amid concerns over a military threat posed by neighbouring Russia. Finland joins other European Union and NATO members bordering Russia - Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Poland - in leaving or planning to leave the treaty, as fears grow about their much larger neighbour. President Alexander Stubb, who leads Finland's foreign and security policy, has defended the move. "The reality in the endgame is that we have as our neighbouring country an aggressive, imperialist state called Russia, which itself is not a member of the Ottawa Treaty and which itself uses landmines ruthlessly," he said. Russia has used landmines in its invasion of Ukraine. The Finnish decision follows similar votes in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, where parliaments have approved the withdrawal. Finland, which guards NATO's longest border with Russia, will be able to start stockpiling landmines six months after formally notifying other treaty members and the United Nations of its resignation. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Monday launched a new effort to "uphold the norms of humanitarian disarmament", urging all states to adhere to existing treaties and immediately halt any steps towards their withdrawal. "I am gravely concerned by recent announcements and steps taken by several Member States to withdraw from the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention," he said in a statement, opens new tab. In response to Guterres' concerns, Finland's Defence Minister Antti Hakkanen said the aim of the withdrawal was to protect civilians and minimise the loss of human lives. "I believe that our government and parliament have a duty to take measures that reduce Finland's risk of being attacked," the minister said on social media X. "Protection against the Russian threat takes priority," he added. Parliament on Thursday also agreed to permit land mine exports under usual arms sale control procedures.
Zawya
4 days ago
- Politics
- Zawya
Diplomacy in Motion: Kenya and Finland Align for a Changing World
H.E. Dr. Musalia Mudavadi, EGH, Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, represented President William Samoei Ruto at 13th Kultaranta Talks held on 16–17 June 2025 in Naantali, Finland. Hosted by President Alexander Stubb, this year's talks focused on 'The Changing World Order – Old Meets New,' convening global leaders to address shifting power dynamics and international cooperation. Kenya participated in the high-level panel 'Accumulation of Shocks at the Global Level – What the West Should Understand,' moderated by Fareed Zakaria. Dr. Mudavadi addressed the rising fragmentation of the global system, noting that multilateral diplomacy is weakening as nationalism and unilateralism grow. He highlighted how regional disruptions, particularly in Africa, now have undeniable global implications. He underscored the continent's complex duality—persistent conflict affecting nearly 500 million people, alongside the growing momentum of African agency. Dr. Mudavadi called for Africa's full representation in global institutions, especially the UN Security Council, where it remains the only region without a permanent seat. Citing Africa's young and growing population, he stated: 'Make space—the future is African.' On the sidelines of the Talks, Dr. Mudavadi met with Finland's Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen to review bilateral progress, building on the May 2025 State Visit of President Stubb to Kenya. The two countries reaffirmed cooperation in peace mediation, education, climate action, and trade. Kenya acknowledged Finland's developmental support—particularly through Finn fund—in areas such as health, renewable energy, and digital infrastructure. Dr. Mudavadi called for deeper collaboration in conflict resolution, including support for Kenya's initiative to develop a treaty on international mediation. Kenya also sought Finland's endorsement of Nairobi as the host of the Global Plastics Treaty Secretariat, strengthening global environmental governance. As global uncertainties mount, the Kenya-Finland partnership demonstrates the value of principled diplomacy and inclusive dialogue. Kenya's voice at Kultaranta signalled Africa's growing influence in shaping a more just, peaceful, and cooperative global order. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Republic of Kenya.
NHK
11-06-2025
- Politics
- NHK
Finland president: No indications of Trump withdrawing from Russia-Ukraine talks
Finland's president Alexander Stubb says he expects US President Donald Trump to remain engaged in ceasefire negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. The Finnish president made the remarks in an interview with NHK in Tokyo on Wednesday. Trump has warned that he might step back from the ceasefire talks if he sees no progress. Stubb said he speaks frequently with Trump over the telephone, and that he has not "seen any indications of" Trump withdrawing from the negotiations. He said Trump wants a peace agreement and is trying to persuade Putin to work toward it. In March, Trump and Stubb held talks in the United States where they also played a round of golf. Referring to Russia's refusal of an unconditional ceasefire proposal, the president said the only way is "to make the alternative cost of Russia to continue the war too high." Stubb indicated Western countries need to boost their sanctions against Moscow, adding that the war is not going to end until President Vladimir Putin "realizes that his economy is not going to last." Stubb added that even if a ceasefire is reached, Finland has "no plans of sending troops on the ground right now." He said, "Our job is basically to provide the deterrence up in the northeastern part of Europe."
