WARSAW, Poland (AP) — On Tuesday, Poland and the three Baltic states—Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia—announced their intention to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention, an international treaty that bans antipersonnel land mines. This decision is driven by the escalating security threats from Russia towards NATO's eastern flank, prompting the defense ministers of these nations to take a decisive stance.
In a joint statement, the defense ministers expressed their unanimous recommendation to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention, which was established to prohibit the use of antipersonnel mines. They noted that the security situation along NATO's eastern borders has “fundamentally deteriorated” since they signed the treaty, highlighting that “military threats to NATO member states bordering Russia and Belarus have significantly increased.”
The ministers emphasized that their decision sends a clear message of readiness: “Our countries are prepared and can use every necessary measure to defend our territory and freedom.” This statement underscores their commitment to national defense in the face of a concerning geopolitical landscape.
Although the intent to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention marks a significant policy shift, the ministers assured that they would continue to uphold humanitarian laws, including the protection of civilians during armed conflict. This commitment indicates an awareness of the ethical implications surrounding the use of land mines while prioritizing national security concerns.
The Ottawa Convention was signed in 1997 and came into effect in 1999. It has seen nearly three dozen countries opting not to join, including nations recognized for their historic production and use of land mines such as the United States, China, India, Pakistan, South Korea, and Russia. The choice of these four nations to consider withdrawal demonstrates a growing trend among some countries to reassess their position on international treaties that may limit their military options amid rising threats.
A report from Landmine Monitor, an international watchdog, highlighted that land mines are still actively being deployed in 2023 and 2024 by various countries, including Russia, Myanmar, Iran, and North Korea. This ongoing use underscores the complexities surrounding land mine policies and international security, especially in light of current military conflicts.
With the defense ministers’ announcement, Poland and the Baltic nations are actively seeking to bolster their defenses against perceived aggressors in their region. Their potential withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention reflects a pragmatic approach to security, prioritizing national and regional defense capabilities over international treaty obligations that they feel no longer serve their interests in a changing security landscape.
