Finland Ditches Landmine Ban

Finland, a NATO member, has announced plans to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention banning anti-personnel landmines and increase its defense spending to at least 3% of GDP by 2029. This move comes in response to the evolving military threat from Russia, with Prime Minister Petteri Orpo stating that Russia poses a long-term danger to all of Europe.

Finland's decision follows a similar announcement by Poland and the Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania last month. By leaving the treaty, Finland, which shares NATO's longest border with Russia, could start stockpiling landmines again as a deterrent.

The Finnish government has allocated an additional 3 billion euros ($3.24 billion) to defense, raising the level of military spending from 2.41% in 2024 to 3% of gross domestic product by 2029. President Alexander Stubb emphasized that this move is part of Finland's contribution to Europe taking greater responsibility for its own defense.

Finland joined NATO in 2023, after decades of non-alignment, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The country began considering withdrawal from the Ottawa treaty last November, citing Russia's use of landmines in Ukraine.

Agriculture and Forestry Minister Sari Essayah assured that Finland will use landmines responsibly, but views them as a necessary deterrent. The Ottawa Convention, signed in 1997, has been ratified or acceded to by over 160 countries, but not by Russia.

Leaving the treaty will require approval by the Finnish parliament, but is expected to pass given widespread support among government and opposition parties.