On Saturday, Finnish President Alexander Stubb discussed the potential reintroduction of anti-personnel mines into Finland's defence arsenal during an appearance on Yle's Ykkösaamu chat show.
"The starting point is that our greatest security threat is Russia, and this threat must be addressed one way or another. The world is very different now compared to when we joined the Ottawa Convention [in 2012]," he said.
In recent weeks, strategists have said the Ukraine war has demonstrated landmines could be effective in a new conflict. The Left Alliance and the Greens are now the only parliamentary parties that oppose Finland withdrawing from the Ottawa Convention banning anti-personnel landmines.
Using the war in Ukraine as an example, Stubb noted how Ukraine relies on both mines and drones to counter Russian infantry, urging Finland to evaluate strategies based on its security needs.
As a citizens' initiative begins collecting signatures on Independence Day to urge Finland to renounce its commitment to the ban on anti-personnel landmines, Stubb suggested a careful and comprehensive review of Finland's defence capabilities to determine any necessary updates for ground forces.
Stubb also commented on Kimmo Kiljunen's (SDP) resignation as chair of Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee.
Kiljunen resigned on Friday after making public statements about the possibility of reopening the eastern border, which has been closed for a year.
Stubb said Kiljunen's views did not in any way align with Finland's foreign policy.
"Since we have a 1,340-kilometre border with Russia, it's important to be on the same page," the president noted.