Finland has officially decided to withdraw from the Ottawa Treaty, becoming the first European Union member state to do so. On Thursday, the Finnish Parliament approved the measure with a vote of 157 to 18, with 24 members absent. The decision allows Finland to resume the use of anti-personnel landmines, a move the government argues is necessary in light of the country’s altered security environment.
The vote was strongly supported by the centre-right government coalition, although one MP from the Swedish People’s Party, part of the ruling bloc, opposed the motion. Dissenting votes also came from 10 MPs of the Left Alliance and seven Greens MPs.
Security concerns override treaty obligations
The decision comes in the context of increasing regional tensions, particularly due to Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine and Finland’s recent accession to NATO. The government has argued that the Ottawa Treaty, which bans the use, production, stockpiling and transfer of anti-personnel landmines, imposes limitations that could weaken the country’s self-defence capacity.
Last week, the Finnish Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee endorsed the withdrawal, noting the need to reassess international agreements that may hinder national defence. However, the committee also stressed Finland’s continued commitment to the rules-based international system, suggesting that Helsinki should back demining efforts and humanitarian initiatives in conflict zones.
From late adopter to early exit
Finland was the last EU member to join the Ottawa Treaty, having ratified the agreement only in 2012. The current withdrawal aligns Finland with other eastern European NATO allies, including Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland, which have also announced plans to exit the treaty earlier this year.
The formal withdrawal process requires confirmation by President Alexander Stubb, followed by official notification to the United Nations Secretary-General.
Criticism and international implications
Critics warn that abandoning the Ottawa Treaty could undermine global efforts to eliminate landmines and set a precedent for other countries to reconsider their commitments. Human rights groups have long argued that anti-personnel mines disproportionately harm civilians and remain a persistent threat long after conflicts end.
The Finnish government has yet to clarify whether it will resume production of landmines or focus solely on their deployment in defensive scenarios. It has nonetheless stated that Finland remains committed to international humanitarian principles and will continue supporting demining operations abroad.
The move marks a significant shift in Finnish defence policy, reflecting the broader security recalibration in northern Europe as NATO’s eastern flank adjusts to growing geopolitical pressures.
