Poland and Baltic States Consider Withdrawal from Ottawa Treaty
In response to escalating military threats from Russia, Poland and the Baltic states—Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia—are considering withdrawing from the Ottawa Treaty, which bans anti-personnel landmines.
Defense Ministers‘ Concerns
Defense ministers from these nations highlighted the increasing risks to NATO members along the borders with Russia and Belarus, emphasizing the need for greater flexibility in military defense strategies. The effective deployment of new weapon systems is viewed as crucial for safeguarding the vulnerable eastern flank of NATO.
Potential Departure from the Treaty
This potential departure from the 1997 treaty, which has been ratified by 160 countries but not by Russia, would allow these nations to:
- Produce landmines
- Use landmines
- Store landmines
Lithuania’s Defense Minister Dovile Sakaliene affirmed that such a move would ensure enhanced border security. Finland has also indicated it may withdraw from the treaty due to Russia’s use of these weapons in Ukraine.
Poland’s Position
Additionally, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has advocated for leaving the Ottawa Convention, underlining the threats posed by neighboring countries that may possess banned weaponry. Poland also plans to begin training 100,000 volunteers annually starting in 2027 to bolster its military readiness.
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