Session Profile: Leo Kunnas
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
2025-06-04
Political Position
The political stance heavily focuses on national defense and military readiness. The speaker firmly supports denouncing the Ottawa Convention, justifying this position by citing the necessity of using anti-personnel landmines when establishing the Baltic defense zone and deterring the enemy in border regions. The framework is pragmatic and policy-driven, emphasizing the convention's ineffectiveness in actual conflicts, where it was superseded by improvised explosive devices.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates profound expertise in military strategy and weaponry, utilizing terminology such as improvised explosive devices (IEDs), scatterable mines, and engineer obstacles. This expertise is grounded in detailed analyses of experiences from the war in Ukraine (the Perekop Isthmus, 2023 counteroffensive) and previous military operations (Iraq, Afghanistan). He stresses the safety and effectiveness of factory-manufactured mines compared to those improvised in the field.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is serious, analytical, and heavily argumentative, focusing on logical appeals and factual evidence concerning military operations. The speaker employs historical examples (Cambodia, the actions of Princess Diana) to counter opposing arguments and stresses the urgent necessity of providing military personnel with all the resources required to repel aggression. He requested additional time to extend his address.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The available data is limited to a single speech delivered during a plenary session, which addressed the denunciation of the draft bill. The speaker referenced previous disagreements with representatives of the International Red Cross on this matter, indicating prior active involvement in discussions concerning the topic.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The criticism focuses on the failure of the Ottawa Convention's original objectives, arguing that it resulted in the widespread use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) instead of leading to the elimination of landmines. The speaker dismisses counterarguments that rely on examples of uncontrolled mine-laying in Cambodia or other Asian countries, emphasizing that Estonia faces no threat of guerrilla insurgency.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker referenced colleague Rene Kok's earlier position supportively, demonstrating either intra-factional or intra-coalition alignment. They urged the body to support the draft legislation consensually, citing the desire to achieve broad-based backing on the issue of national defense.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The emphasis is on Estonia's national defense and the protection of its border regions, referencing a personal connection to a border-adjacent area where the likelihood of laying mines is high. The international focus (Ukraine, Iraq, Afghanistan) is primarily used to incorporate strategic lessons into Estonian defense planning and to analyze the actions of the enemy (Russia).
2 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Insufficient data
2 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Social issues concern the safety of civilians in a war situation, emphasizing that the Russian side is threatening the civilian population with cluster munitions. The speaker prioritizes the safety of military personnel and the country's defense capability, arguing that Estonia's situation differs from countries where uncontrolled mining has created social problems.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The primary legislative focus is supporting the bill for the denunciation of the Ottawa Convention, in order to ensure the necessary resources for the Estonian Defence Forces. The speaker is a strong proponent of this bill and stresses the need for its consensual adoption, to enable the use of anti-personnel mines in establishing a defensive perimeter.
2 Speeches Analyzed