Finland has formally notified the United Nations of its decision to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention, a landmark treaty banning the use of anti-personnel landmines, its foreign ministry announced on Thursday. The exit will take effect in January 2026 — six months from the date of notification.
The decision aligns Finland with several of its regional allies, including Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Poland — all members of NATO and the European Union — who have similarly endorsed withdrawal from the treaty. The move is a direct response to growing security threats posed by neighbouring Russia, officials from these countries have stated.
Earlier this month, reports stated that Finland and Lithuania plan to begin domestic production of anti-personnel landmines as early as next year, marking a significant shift in their defence postures. Officials said the initiative is aimed at enhancing national defence capabilities and ensuring preparedness in the event of regional conflict.
The Ottawa Convention, adopted in 1997, prohibits the use, stockpiling, production, and transfer of anti-personnel mines. Finland joined the treaty in 2012, committing to full compliance by 2020. However, current geopolitical tensions have led several signatories in the region to reassess their commitments.
The decision is likely to draw international scrutiny and criticism from humanitarian organisations, but Finnish and Baltic leaders have defended the move as a necessary precaution in an increasingly volatile security landscape.
Melissa Enoch
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