Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Palestinian media: IOF arrest leader Jamal al-Tawil, who was liberated as part of the prisoner exchange, from his home in al-Bireh.
Palestinian media: 'Israel' launches two airstrikes on eastern Khan Younis, Gaza.
Al Mayadeen’s correspondent in Gaza: Israeli occupation forces carry out demolitions in eastern Gaza City.
Venezuelan Foreign Ministry: The National Armed Forces will remain on alert and mobilized in the face of this extremely dangerous provocation.
Venezuelan Foreign Ministry: This is not a defense exercise, but rather a military aggression aimed at turning the Caribbean into a space for violence and US hegemony.
Venezuelan Foreign Ministry: The government of Trinidad and Tobago has surrendered the country's sovereignty to act as a military colony serving US interests.
Rapid Support Forces attack El-Fasher, west Sudan.
Al Mayadeen correspondent: One martyr and one wounded in an Israeli drone attack on the town of Hafir, west of Baalbek, eastern Lebanon.
Al Mayadeen correspondent: An Israeli drone fired three missiles in the vicinity of the town of Bodai, west of Baalbek.
Reuters: The Rapid Support Forces announced that they have taken over the headquarters of the Sudanese Armed Forces in al-Fasher.

Finland to withdraw from Ottawa Convention, cites 'security concerns'

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News Websites
  • 28 May 2025 15:13
  • 2 Shares
3 Min Read

Finland has initiated its withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention banning anti-personnel landmines, citing growing security concerns along its border with Russia.

  • x
  • NATO and Finland flags flutter over the building of Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Helsinki, Finland, Tuesday, April 4, 2023 (AP)
    NATO and Finland flags flutter over the building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Helsinki, Finland, on April 4, 2023 (AP)

Finland has officially launched the process of withdrawing from the Ottawa Convention, which prohibits the use, stockpiling, production, and transfer of anti-personnel landmines. The Finnish government submitted the proposal to parliament on Wednesday, following a political decision made in April amid growing concerns over Russia’s military posture.

The move marks a significant shift in Finland’s military policy. Parliamentary approval, confirmation by President Alexander Stubb, and formal notification to the United Nations secretary-general are required for the withdrawal to take full effect.

Security concerns driving policy shift

Finland’s decision comes against the backdrop of increasing tensions with Russia. The Nordic country now guards the longest land border within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) against Russia, more than 1,300 kilometers (800 miles) long. The perceived concern of conflict with Russia has driven several NATO and EU member states to reconsider key arms control agreements.

Finland has a long history of conflict with Moscow and has emerged as one of the leading European suppliers of military assistance to Ukraine, which is now entering its fourth year of war against Russia. 

Related News

Russian Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile final test complete

Russia refutes US media claims of Lavrov-Rubio meeting delay

In September, the Finnish Interior Ministry formally requested 50 million euros ($55.8 million) from the European Union to enhance its border security with Russia amid increasing warmongering from the bloc in the face of Russia in light of the ongoing Ukraine war.

"Finland... has requested additional funding of 50 million euros in order to strengthen controls on the eastern border," read a statement from the Finnish government.

The request, submitted through the EU’s Border Management and Visa Policy Instrument, seeks financial support to bolster border infrastructure. The allocated funds are intended for upgrading radio control equipment, improving data transmission systems along the border, and acquiring drones and patrol vehicles to enhance surveillance and operational capacity.

Regional trends in landmine policy

In March, defense ministers from the three Baltic states, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, along with Poland, recommended withdrawing from the Ottawa Convention. They argued that reintroducing anti-personnel landmines was necessary for bolstering defense capabilities in the face of a potential confrontation with Russia.

While Norway, which also shares a border with Russia and is a signatory to the Ottawa Convention, has indicated that it will not follow suit, Finland’s move may influence further shifts in regional defense policy.

It is worth noting that Moscow has signaled its willingness to engage in dialogue with NATO, but only under conditions of mutual respect and equality, emphasizing the need for the West to refrain from escalating military activities in Europe.

To formally withdraw from the Ottawa Convention, Finland must complete several legal steps: approval by the Finnish parliament, confirmation from the president, and submission of the withdrawal instrument to the United Nations. Once completed, Finland would no longer be bound by the treaty’s restrictions on landmine use.

The Ottawa Treaty, officially known as the Mine Ban Treaty, was adopted in 1997 and has been a cornerstone of international humanitarian law aimed at reducing civilian casualties in conflict zones. Finland’s departure would make it one of the few European Union states to reverse course on the landmark agreement.

  • Moscow
  • Nato
  • Finland
  • Russia
  • Nato Alliance
  • Ukraine
  • Ottawa Convention

Most Read

From previous scenes of the Qassam Brigades targeting an Israeli D9 bulldozer with a Yassin 105 shell, east of Deir al-Balah. (Military Media of the Qassam Brigades)

US knew fatal Rafah blast cause was not Hamas op., says journalist

  • Politics
  • 20 Oct 2025
'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

  • Technology
  • 24 Oct 2025
Abu Hamza, the spokesperson for the Al-Quds Brigades, during a speech televised on October 22, 2025 (Al-Quds Brigades Military Media)

Al-Quds Brigades' Abu Hamza mourns leaders, vows continued resistance

  • Politics
  • 22 Oct 2025
US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

  • Africa
  • 23 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Sheikh Naim Qassem speaks during an interview with Al-Manar TV, October 26, 2025 (Screenshot)
Politics

Hezbollah ready to face 'Israel' in case of war: Sheikh Naim Qassem

A Russian cargo train arrives at Astara Railway Wharf, March 2018 (IRNA)
Economy

Tehran, Moscow to finalize INSTC rail project next month

Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf addresses the media after submitting his candidacy for the Islamic Republic's upcoming presidential election in Tehran on June 3, 2024 (AP)
Politics

UNSCR 2231 termination marks major win for Iran’s diplomacy: Qalibaf

ap
Politics

'Israel' killed 40 Palestinian children in West Bank since January: UN

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS