Poland and the Baltic states have announced their intention to withdraw from the Ottawa Treaty banning anti-personnel landmines, citing growing security concerns regarding Russia.
Defense ministers from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland issued a joint statement explaining that threats from Moscow and Belarus have “significantly increased” since they signed the treaty. They emphasized the importance of providing their military forces with “flexibility and freedom of choice” in defending NATO’s eastern boundary.
The Ottawa Treaty, also known as the Mine Ban Treaty, took effect in 1997 with the goal of eliminating anti-personnel mines globally. While over 160 countries have joined the agreement, major military powers including Russia, China, the US, India and Pakistan never signed.
The Baltic nations had all joined the convention by 2005, with Poland following in 2012.
Tuesday’s joint statement highlighted that the regional security situation has “significantly deteriorated” since their accession to the treaty.
“With this decision, we are sending a clear message: our countries are prepared and can use every necessary measure to defend our territory and freedom,” the ministers declared.
Despite their planned withdrawal, the countries affirmed their continued commitment to international humanitarian laws, “including the protection of civilians during armed conflict.”
All four NATO members share borders with Russia and have substantially increased military spending since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022. According to the Kiel Institute, these nations rank among the highest donors of aid to Ukraine by percentage of GDP.
Ukraine, though a signatory to the treaty, has received landmines from the US during the current conflict. The country has previously informed the UN that Russia’s invasion has complicated its ability to adhere to treaty obligations. Article 20 specifically prohibits nations from withdrawing during wartime.
The UN now considers Ukraine the world’s most heavily mined nation.
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