The Norwegian Foreign Ministry expressed regret over Finland's decision to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention.

Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide has condemned Finland's decision to begin the process of withdrawing from the Ottawa Convention, which prohibits the use of anti-personnel mines. This was reported by the Politico newspaper on April 2.

"If we start to weaken our commitment, it will make it easier for warring parties around the world to reuse these weapons (antipersonnel mines). — Ed.), because it will reduce his censure," said the Norwegian Foreign Minister.

Eide stressed that Norway will not withdraw from the international convention on the prohibition of anti-personnel mines, remaining the only European country bordering Russia that does not plan to return to the use of these weapons.

Finnish President Alexander Stubb said on April 1 that Helsinki was preparing to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention, the newspaper said.

"We regret this particular decision [by Finland]," Eide concluded.

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Earlier, on April 1, Stubb said that Finland should prepare to restore relations with Russia. According to the Finnish leader, it is impossible to deny the fact that Russia is Finland's neighbor and always will be. He also stressed that the restoration of Russian-Finnish relations would depend on the end of the conflict in Ukraine.