The Russian Foreign Ministry has harshly criticised Finland’s decision to allow the Noptel firm to export laser rangefinders to Ukraine. The government decided last Thursday to grant permits for the items.
Now the Russian Foreign Ministry has published a statement on its website criticising the decision, saying that Finland has now decided to take sides in the Ukrainian conflict. According to Russia, this contravenes international norms.
The ministry cites the EU’s Common Position on Arms Exports from 2008 which says “Member States shall deny an export licence for military technology or equipment which would provoke or prolong armed conflicts or aggravate existing tensions or conflicts in the country of final destination”.
Noptel is an Oulu-based company that is owned by the Belgian FN Herstal concern. The rangefinders it is sending to Ukraine can be used in weaponry but also have other uses, for instance in binoculars.
