The nation, one of NATO’s newest members, also plans to boost defense spending to at least 3 percent of GDP by 2029, Prime Minister Petteri Orpo told a press conference.
Both actions are being taken in response to the evolving military threat posed by Russia, according to the government in Helsinki.
By leaving the agreement, Finland, which has the longest border with Russia of any NATO nation, could start stockpiling landmines again to have them at hand should a need arise.
However, Orpo stressed that there was no immediate military threat to Finland, but rather that Moscow poses a long-term danger to all of Europe.
“Withdrawing from the Ottawa Convention will give us the possibility to prepare for the changes in the security environment in a more versatile way,” he said.
He added that Helsinki would allocate an additional 3 billion euros ($3.24 billion) to defense, raising the level of military spending from 2.41 percent in 2024 to 3 percent of GDP by 2029.
Discussing the topic of landmines, he added: “The decision is based on a thorough assessment by the relevant ministries and the Defense Forces.
“Finland is committed to its international obligations on the responsible use of mines. Finland will always remain a responsible actor in the world, safeguarding its security and defense.”
Triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Finland joined NATO in 2023 in a dramatic shift from decades of nonalignment, drawing a threat of “counter-measures” from Moscow.
“Finland will use mines in a responsible way, but it’s a deterrent we need,” Agriculture and Forestry Minister Sari Essayah told reporters on Tuesday.
Leaving the treaty will require approval by the Finnish parliament, and it is expected to pass given widespread support among government and opposition parties.
Helsinki first publicly said it was considering pulling out of the Ottawa treaty last November when its military commander said the matter should be discussed due to Russia’s use of landmines in Ukraine.
Anti-personnel landmines are designed to be hidden in the ground and detonate when stepped on or when someone passes near them.
It has the official title of “The Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production, and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction.”
The opening statement reads that it “prohibits the use, stockpiling, production, and transfer of anti-personnel landmines (APLs).
“It requires states-parties to destroy their stockpiled APLs within four years and eliminate all APL holdings, including mines currently planted in the soil, within 10 years.”
Though backed by the overwhelming majority of the international community, some notable nations among the 32 non-signatory states are the United States, China, and Russia.
