Finland Exits Ottawa Anti-Landmines Treaty

U.S. Marine Corps explosive ordnance disposal technicians and Royal Thai Armed Forces personnel with the Thailand Mine Action Center stack MD-82B anti-personnel landmines during bilateral EOD training at Ratchaburi, Thailand on June 16, 2025 | Photo: U.S. Marine Corps/Cpl. Jonathan Rodriguez Pastrana

Finland’s withdrawal from the Ottawa Anti-Personnel Landmines Convention took effect on January 10, according to a statement issued by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. The withdrawal follows a notification submitted by Finland in July 2025 and comes after the six-month period required under the convention.

The ministry said Finland’s decision was based on an assessment of the country’s defence needs in what it described as a deteriorated security environment in Europe. The press release cited Russia’s war against Ukraine as a key factor that has changed Finland’s security situation and that of the wider region.

Finland’s exit from the Ottawa Convention accompanies the departure from the treaty last month by Poland and the three Baltic states, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, which had announced their withdrawal last year. All five countries share a border with Russia. Ukraine had also announced its intention to withdraw from the treaty last year but has not, yet, taken formal steps.

The withdrawal allows Finland to begin planning for the reintroduction of anti-personnel landmines as part of its national defence. According to the statement, any reintroduction will follow the defence administration’s established planning processes. The ministry said further details would be provided separately at a later stage.

Finland formally notified all states parties to the Ottawa Convention, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, who acts as the Depositary of the Convention, and the UN Security Council of its intention to withdraw on July 10, 2025. Under the terms of the convention, withdrawal takes effect six months after the depositary receives the instrument of withdrawal.

The ministry stated that Finland’s withdrawal from the convention does not change its other international legal obligations. This includes commitments under international humanitarian law, which Finland said it will continue to observe.

The press release also said Finland continues to support the humanitarian goals associated with the Ottawa Convention and will maintain its involvement in humanitarian mine action, despite no longer being a party to the treaty.

Finland joined the Ottawa Convention, which bans the use, stockpiling, production and transfer of anti-personnel landmines, in 2012. The treaty has been supported by more than 160 countries worldwide, although several states with significant military capabilities are not parties to it.