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Finland Votes to Exit Landmine Ban Treaty

  • 23 Jun 2025

On 19th June 2025, Finland’s parliament voted to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention, which bans the use of anti-personnel landmines, citing growing military threats from neighbouring Russia.

Key Points

  • Ottawa Convention: A global treaty (entered into force in 1999) prohibiting the use, stockpiling, production, and transfer of anti-personnel landmines.
  • Regional Shift: Finland joins Baltic and NATO neighbours—Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, and Poland—who have exited or plan to exit the treaty due to similar security concerns.
  • Conflict Context: Russia’s use of landmines in Ukraine has intensified calls for treaty withdrawals among nations bordering it.
  • Geopolitical Impact: The move reflects a significant policy shift in Europe, where security concerns are now overriding long-held humanitarian commitments.