The Estonian National Defense Commission is going to discuss the prospects for the use of antipersonnel mines. Details are provided by ERR.EE.
Members of the National Defense Commission see the need to discuss once again whether Estonia should use anti-personnel mines and therefore withdraw from the Ottawa Convention prohibiting such actions.
“In light of the United States’ decision to supply antipersonnel mines to Ukraine, Finland is also considering the possibility of using them. This would mean withdrawing from the Ottawa Convention, which prohibits them. I think it is time to start the same debate in Estonia.” – said the Estonian politician Raymond Kaljulaid.
“I suggested to my colleagues on the National Defense Committee that in the near future we add a discussion on the issue of antipersonnel mines to the committee’s agenda.” – he added.
Kaljulaid noted that this had already been discussed before and that one of the arguments was the possibility of Estonia following the path of Finland.
“Given the discussions that have begun in Finland, it is time to raise this issue again.” —says Raymond Kaljulaid.
President of the Commission Kalev Stoicescu He also added that he had been thinking about this issue for a long time and had consulted with Estonian and Finnish colleagues.
“Personally, given the security situation, I am in favor of approving antipersonnel mines in Estonia, despite inconvenient foreign policy considerations. Of course, this issue needs to be discussed further with the Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces.” – said Stoicescu.
According to Stoicescu, it is not yet possible to predict whether Estonia will decide to withdraw from the Ottawa Agreement, but this debate is necessary. Estonian Brigadier General Alar Laneman He also previously stated that it was time to withdraw from the agreement and use antipersonnel mines.
“The time has come. For both steps. The world has changed compared to when the agreement was signed. The mines in question are an effective weapon against an enemy that is outnumbered and uses massive infantry. By using limited life mines, risks can be minimized.” – says the Estonian soldier.
According to Raymond Kaljulaid, the following questions need to be clarified: “First of all, what are modern antipersonnel mines compared to when the convention was initiated and acceded to, especially in terms of civil security? Secondly, what do the defense forces and the defense alliance say, what are their arguments for and against? And third, can we talk seriously about this in light of the US decision?”.
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna also sent his comment on the issue of antipersonnel mines, according to which “The analysis of the withdrawal of the agreement is also underway at the government level”.
“We, like Finland, are analyzing various aspects of remaining or leaving the Ottawa Convention and are in close contact with our closest allies on this issue. Taking into account the military assessment of the head of the defense forces, this is very important,” – Tsakhkna confirmed.
