NATO member Finland plans to boost military spending to 3% of GDP by 2029
Finland, a NATO member, has announced its plan to withdraw from the global convention banning anti-personnel mines and increase its defense budget to at least 3% of GDP by 2029 in response to the growing military threat from Russia, the Finnish government said on Tuesday.
Last month, Poland and the Baltic states—Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania—also announced their withdrawal from the 1997 Ottawa Convention due to concerns over Russia’s actions and the security of Europe.
By leaving the treaty, Finland, which shares NATO’s longest border with Russia, could start stockpiling landmines again if necessary.
At a press conference, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo stated that while there is no immediate military threat to Finland, Russia poses a long-term danger to all of Europe.
“Withdrawing from the Ottawa Convention will allow us to prepare more comprehensively and flexibly for changes in the current security environment,” Orpo said.
Increased Defense Spending
Prime Minister Orpo also announced an additional €3 billion in defense spending, raising military expenditure from 2.41% of GDP in 2024 to 3% by 2029.
“This is part of Finland’s contribution to a Europe that takes greater responsibility for its own defense,” Finnish President Alexander Stubb wrote on X.
Fears Over Russia’s Future Actions
These announcements come as Donald Trump, the U.S. president, intensifies efforts to end the war in Ukraine, raising concerns among Poland and the Baltic states that Russia could rearm and shift its focus toward them instead of Ukraine.
Finland joined NATO in 2023, ending decades of neutrality following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The Finnish military began considering withdrawing from the Ottawa Treaty in November 2024 after a top commander suggested that Russia’s use of such weapons in Ukraine warranted a reassessment.
“Finland will use mines responsibly, but they are a deterrent we need,” said Agriculture and Forestry Minister Sari Essayah on Tuesday.
Landmine Ban and Global Disarmament
Finland destroyed over one million landmines after 2012 and was the last EU country to sign the Ottawa Convention, which has been ratified by over 160 nations—but not Russia.
The 1997 treaty was one of several international agreements established after the Cold War to promote global disarmament. That same year, anti-landmine activists won the Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts.
Landmines have killed or maimed tens of thousands of civilians worldwide, often long after conflicts have ended.
Finland’s withdrawal from the treaty still requires parliamentary approval.
