Poland, the Baltic states, and Finland are on the verge of pulling out of the convention prohibiting anti-personnel mines, Lithuania’s defense minister said on Thursday. The five countries, all bordering Russia, have stepped up security fears since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The Ottawa Treaty banning the development, storage, and use of anti-personnel mines has traditionally enjoyed the backing of these nations. But in recent times, officials have been reconsidering their attitude in view of what they see as rising Russian aggression.
Lithuanian Deputy Defence Minister Dovile Sakaliene said discussions among the five countries were far advanced. “We think that we are in very close reach of this solution,” she announced at a news conference in Warsaw. She pointed out that countries were moving together towards a shared decision to take a common strategic message.
Polish Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz termed the action “necessary” and emphasized the need to show a united front. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk last week announced plans to propose Poland’s withdrawal from the treaty, an action criticized by humanitarian groups.
The Red Cross International Committee (ICRC) has also raised serious concern regarding the possible withdrawal, urging against the increasing viability of banned weapons on the continent of Europe. “These treaties are most relevant in times of war, not just peace,” warned ICRC legal chief Cordula Droege. She warned that such choices would have a dangerous precedent implication, asking if other banned weapons, like chemical weapons, would be next in line for reconsideration.
Lithuania recently became the first nation to pull out of the international prohibition on cluster bombs, citing domestic security requirements. Experts worry that this development could be a sign of a larger change in military strategies throughout Europe.