Finland has officially informed the United Nations that it plans to leave the Ottawa Convention, a global treaty that prohibits the use of anti-personnel landmines.
According to its foreign ministry, the decision was submitted late Thursday, and the withdrawal will take effect in January 2026, six months after the notification.
This move follows a shift in defense policies by several countries near Russia. Alongside Finland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Poland—all NATO and EU members—have agreed to step away from the treaty.
These nations share borders with Russia and cite growing security concerns as the reason for their decisions.
In early July, reports indicated that both Finland and Lithuania are preparing to begin manufacturing anti-personnel landmines domestically by next year.
The aim is to strengthen their national defense systems in response to what they view as an increasingly unpredictable threat from their eastern neighbor.
The Ottawa Convention, signed in 1997, aims to eliminate anti-personnel landmines due to their long-term danger to civilians.
More than 160 countries are part of the agreement. However, recent geopolitical developments in Eastern Europe have led to a reassessment of military needs and defense strategies in the region.
The shift marks a significant policy change for Finland, which has long supported international disarmament efforts.
However, the country’s leadership now sees the need to adapt its defense posture in a rapidly changing security environment.
While the decision has drawn attention from global observers, Finland and its neighboring countries appear committed to adjusting their defense plans to current regional realities.
The full impact of these moves on future military cooperation and international agreements remains to be seen.