Finland’s parliament voted on 19 June to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention banning the use of anti-personnel mines amid concerns about the military threat from neighbouring Russia.
The decision passed by an overwhelming majority: 157 votes in favour and 18 against.
Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen said the parliament’s decision “sends a clear message that Finland is acting quickly and is determined to strengthen its defence capabilities”. Finland shares a border with Russia that is about 1,300 kilometres long.
The Finnish president is expected to approve the decision soon and it will come into force six months after Finland formally notifies the United Nations.
UN Secretary General António Guterres said earlier this week that he was “gravely concerned about recent announcements and steps taken by several member states to withdraw from the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention.” He called for an “immediate halt” to such moves.
In response, Finland’s defence minister said the purpose of withdrawing from the agreement was to protect civilians and minimise loss of life.
“Defence against the Russian threat is a priority,” he added.
This spring, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia and Poland also announced plans to withdraw from the pact, saying that “military threats to NATO countries bordering Russia and Belarus have increased significantly in recent years, so it is important to strengthen the countries’ deterrence and defence capabilities.”
Finland said last December that it was considering withdrawing from the Ottawa Treaty in response to Russia’s use of anti-personnel mines during the war in Ukraine.
Withdrawing from the Ottawa Treaty, to which more than 160 nations have joined, would allow countries to build up a stockpile of anti-personnel mines. Among the 36 countries that have not signed the Ottawa Treaty are Russia, the United States and China.