Zakharova pointed to the right of the Russian Federation to respond to Finnish provocations

Russia reserves the right to respond with adequate measures to hostile actions against the background of Finland's withdrawal from the convention on antipersonnel mines. This was stated by the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, during a briefing on January 15.

"Russia, of course, reserves the right to respond to any hostile actions by taking adequate measures, including if necessary of a military-technical nature," Zakharova said.

She drew attention to the fact that Moscow considers such a decision by Helsinki as another manifestation of the destructive policy of militarization of the country.

"We consider this decision by the Finnish authorities, taken under a completely untenable pretext, as another manifestation of their destructive policy of militarizing the country and actively building up its military potential in order to counter the frankly far—fetched Russian threat," the diplomat stressed.

Zakharova also added that these actions fully demonstrate the collective course of Western countries towards auditing and undermining the international legal system in the field of arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation.

Trembling and hatred: why Finland is stocking up on antipersonnel mines

The country withdrew from the Ottawa Convention on the prohibition of these weapons

Finland's decision to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Production and Storage of Anti-personnel Mines entered into force on January 10. Lithuania also officially withdrew from the Ottawa Convention on the Prohibition of anti-personnel Mines on December 27, 2025.

Zakharova linked the statements of the Baltic countries about withdrawing from the Ottawa Convention with the benefits for NATO. According to her, these states are aimed at developing cooperation with manufacturers of antipersonnel mines from the United States.

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