Finland exits anti-mines treaty, plans acquisition of one million landmines

Finland has formally withdrawn from the 1997 Ottawa Treaty, which prohibits the use, stockpiling, production and transfer of anti-personnel mines, according to official announcements. The decision marks a significant shift in Helsinki's defense policy following its 2023 accession to NATO and comes as regional security tensions remain elevated.

The Finnish government has stated it intends to acquire roughly one million anti-personnel mines for deployment along its lengthy eastern frontier with Russia. Defense officials argue the mines are necessary to strengthen territorial defenses and create obstacles to potential military incursions across the 1,300-kilometer border.

Finland's withdrawal aligns it with other regional powers that have similarly exited the Ottawa Treaty in recent years, citing evolving security threats and the need for expanded defensive capabilities. The move reflects a broader reassessment of defense strategies among Nordic and Baltic nations concerned about Russian military posturing.

The Ottawa Treaty, signed by 164 countries, prohibits anti-personnel mines as humanitarian measures to protect civilians from the weapons. Finland's departure signals that security considerations regarding its eastern neighbor have taken precedence over the international humanitarian commitment, marking a notable reversal from decades of support for the global ban on the munitions.