Finland Notifies UN of Withdrawal From Anti-Landmine Treaty

The withdrawal comes against a backdrop of regional instability, with the Russia–Ukraine war now into its third year.

Ukrainian mine experts scan for unexploded ordnance and landmines by the main road to Kherson, Ukraine, on Nov. 16, 2022. Murad Sezer/Reuters

Finland has informed the United Nations that it will withdraw from a treaty banning the use of anti-personnel landmines, citing a ‘deteriorated security environment,’ the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on July 10.

The withdrawal from the Ottawa Anti-Personnel Landmines Convention will take effect in January 2026, the ministry said in a statement.