Finland Exits Global Landmine Ban

Finland has formally withdrawn from the Ottawa Treaty, the international convention banning the use, production and stockpiling of anti-personnel landmines.

This move now permits the country to include such weapons in its military arsenal, according to Finnish media.

Public broadcaster Yle reported that the withdrawal has officially taken effect after Finland notified the United Nations of its decision on July 10, 2025. Under the treaty’s provisions, withdrawals become effective six months after formal notification.

The decision marks a significant shift in Finland’s defense policy at a time of heightened security concerns in Northern and Eastern Europe. With the treaty no longer binding, Helsinki is legally free to acquire, stockpile and deploy anti-personnel landmines if deemed necessary for national defense.

Finland is not alone in reassessing its commitments. Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland have previously announced their withdrawal from the convention, reflecting a broader regional trend amid growing security pressures.

The Ottawa Treaty, which entered into force in 1999, has been ratified by 164 states and is regarded as a cornerstone of international humanitarian law. The International Committee of the Red Cross has long warned that anti-personnel landmines cause disproportionate civilian harm and continue to pose lethal risks decades after conflicts end.