Norway Criticizes Finland's Withdrawal from Land Mine Treaty

April 2, 2025

OSLO, Norway – Norway’s Foreign Minister, Espen Barth Eide, has expressed disapproval of Finland's decision to withdraw from the 1997 Ottawa Convention, commonly known as the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Treaty. Finland’s President, Alexander Stubb, announced the withdrawal on Tuesday as a strategic response to perceived threats from Russia amid rising geopolitical tensions.

Eide stated in an interview with Reuters that Norway would not follow Finland's lead and would maintain its commitment to the treaty. He emphasized the risks posed by weakening such international agreements. “If we start weakening our commitment, it makes it easier for warring factions around the world to use these weapons again, because it reduces the stigma,” Eide commented.

The Ottawa Convention aims to eliminate the use of anti-personnel mines, which pose a danger to civilians long after conflicts have ended. However, the treaty has faced challenges in recent years, notably due to ongoing military operations in Ukraine and increased concerns of aggression from Russia.

Finland's decision has made Norway the only European nation that shares a border with Russia—nearly 200 kilometers long—that does not plan to reintroduce land mines into its defense strategy. Other countries in the region, like Poland and the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, recently announced their intentions to exit the treaty, citing the need for enhanced security measures against potential threats from Russia and Belarus.

In a joint statement, defense ministers from these countries referred to the necessity of providing their forces with greater flexibility in choosing their defense strategies, particularly to secure NATO’s eastern front.

Industry experts and human rights advocates have raised concerns over the implications of this trend. The retreat from the treaty could lead to a resurgence in the use of land mines, which are widely condemned due to their devastating impact on civilian populations.

The discussions surrounding Finland's exit and the response from Norway highlight the delicate balance between national security and international humanitarian commitments in a region faced with increasing military threats.

For now, Norway stands firm in its commitment to the Ottawa Convention, reaffirming its stance against the use of anti-personnel mines.