Finland to withdraw from anti-personnel landmine treaty

The Finnish government has formally presented its instrument of withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention banning anti-personnel landmines, citing the country’s defence requirements amid an increasingly unstable security environment.

The withdrawal, submitted on July 10, will take effect in January 2026, Caliber.Az reports, citing the Finnish Foreign Ministry.

According to an official statement, “Finland presented the instrument of withdrawal from the Ottawa Anti-Personnel Landmines Convention on 10 July 2025. The withdrawal shall take effect in January 2026. Finland will continue its support for the humanitarian goals of the Convention.”

The Ottawa Convention, formally known as the Mine Ban Treaty, prohibits the use, stockpiling, production, and transfer of anti-personnel mines. Finland’s decision marks a significant shift in its security policy, prompted by what officials describe as growing regional threats and the need to adapt its military capabilities.

“The decision to withdraw from the Convention is based on Finland’s defence needs in the deteriorated security environment,” the statement said. “The withdrawal from the Convention will enable Finland to reintroduce anti-personnel mines to the range of its available means of defence.”

The Finnish government notified all other State Parties to the Convention, as well as the Depositary—the Secretary-General of the United Nations—and the UN Security Council. Under the terms of the treaty, the withdrawal will formally take effect six months after the UN receives the notification, which is expected to occur in January 2026.

Despite the move, Finnish authorities have reiterated their commitment to international law. “The withdrawal will not affect Finland’s other obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law, which will continue to be respected,” the statement emphasised.

The government also stressed its continued backing for humanitarian demining efforts. “Finland will continue its support for the humanitarian goals of the Ottawa Convention, as well as support for humanitarian mine action,” the statement concluded.

Finland joined the Ottawa Convention in 2012 after years of political debate over the military implications of banning landmines.

By Vugar Khalilov