Finland has officially denounced the anti-personnel mine convention on 10 July 2025, the country has notified the UN of its withdrawal from the international treaty.
“The reason for the denunciation is Finland’s defence needs in a deteriorating security situation. The termination of the treaty will allow anti-personnel mines to be included again in the Arsenal of Defence Equipment,” the Finnish Foreign Ministry said on its website.
The denunciation will enter into force six months after the depository receives the denunciation document, i.e. in January 2026. The Finnish Foreign Ministry said that despite this, the authorities will continue to support the humanitarian goals of the Ottawa Convention and support mine action.
In addition to Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Poland have previously withdrawn from the agreement.
The Ottawa Treaty prohibits the development, use, storage and transfer of these weapons. In addition, Parties to the Convention undertake to destroy all stockpiles of non-directional anti-personnel mines.