Poland, Baltic states to withdraw from Ottawa Convention on landmines

Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia announced Tuesday that they are withdrawing from the Ottawa Convention, a 1997 treaty that bans the use of anti-personnel landmines.

The decision comes in response to heightened security concerns in the wake of Russia’s ongoing aggression in Ukraine and its increasing military threat to NATO member states along its borders.

Security concerns lead to withdrawal

The defense ministers of the four countries issued a joint statement explaining that military threats to NATO member states, particularly those bordering Russia and Belarus, have significantly intensified.

As a result, the countries believe it is vital to provide their defense forces with greater flexibility in addressing these threats.

“In the current security environment it is paramount to provide our defense forces flexibility and freedom of choice to potentially use new weapons systems and solutions to bolster the defense of the Alliance’s vulnerable Eastern flank,” the ministers said.

Joint statement of Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia

Since the ratification of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (Ottawa Convention), the security situation in our region has fundamentally deteriorated. Military threats to NATO Member States bordering Russia and Belarus have significantly increased.

In light of this unstable security environment marked by Russia’s aggression and its ongoing threat to the Euro-Atlantic community, it is essential to evaluate all measures to strengthen our deterrence and defense capabilities. We believe that in the current security environment it is of paramount importance to provide our defence forces with flexibility and freedom of choice of potential use of new weapon systems and solutions to bolster the defence of the Alliance’s vulnerable Eastern Flank.

In light of these considerations, we-the Ministers of Defence of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland-unanimously recommend withdrawing from the Ottawa Convention. 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.

Despite our withdrawal, we will remain committed to international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians during an armed conflict. Our nations will continue to uphold these principles while addressing our security needs.

We appreciate the understanding and support of all Allies and partners who recognize the dire security challenges we are facing and respect our decision in this matter.

Joint statement of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland