Poland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania recently announced their intention to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention, the 1997 international treaty that prohibits the use, production, stockpiling and transfer of anti-personnel mines. This choice stems from a growing perception of the Russian threat and the need to strengthen defense along NATO's eastern flank, in an increasingly unstable geopolitical context.
Since the ratification of the International Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production, Sale of Anti-Personnel Mines and their Destruction (also known informally as the Ottawa Treaty) in 1999, the security situation in the region has changed dramatically. Moscow's invasion of Ukraine has highlighted the vulnerability of Russia's neighbors and Belarus, increasing concerns about possible future aggression and prompting them to consider new strategies to ensure national security.
The defense ministers of the four countries have in fact underlined that Military threats to NATO member states have increased significantly, requiring greater flexibility in adopting weapons systems as a deterrent tool.
Withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention requires formal notification to the United Nations and approval from national parliaments. Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa confirmed that a draft law would be submitted to parliament within the next week, stressing that the final decision would be up to the legislator. Poland and other Baltic states are also following similar steps to change their legal position vis-à-vis the treaty.
International reactions
Withdrawing from the Convention will allow these countries to produce, stockpile and potentially use anti-personnel mines as part of their defense strategies. However, this move has raised concerns among global disarmament activists and international organizations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross e Human Rights Watch have already warned of the possible humanitarian consequences of the return of landmines, which have caused thousands of civilian casualties in several conflicts.
Despite the criticism, Poland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania reaffirmed their commitment to respecting international norms and humanitarian law, saying their priority remains the protection of their citizens and deterrence against possible aggression. The governments of these countries also expressed gratitude for the support received from NATO allies, stressing the importance of strengthening the Alliance's eastern flank to deter possible attacks.
The decision by Poland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania could pave the way for a broader review of the Ottawa Convention in Europe. Finland, which shares a long border with Russia, has already started internal discussions on the possibility of such a withdrawal, while other countries in the region could be pushed to reconsider their position in light of the new dynamics of global security.
Photo: US Army
