Poland and three Baltic states are withdrawing from an international treaty banning landmines as they brace for potential Russian aggression along NATO’s eastern flank.
Key Takeaways
- Poland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania are withdrawing from the 1997 Ottawa Convention that bans anti-personnel landmines in response to increased security threats from Russia and Belarus.
- The four NATO members cite a “fundamentally deteriorated” security situation in Eastern Europe since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as the primary reason for their decision.
- Major military powers including Russia, China, the United States, India, and Pakistan never signed the treaty, creating a strategic disadvantage for the Baltic states.
- The defense ministers emphasized they remain committed to international humanitarian laws while taking necessary measures to protect their territories.
- Ukraine, a treaty signatory, has become the world’s most heavily mined country according to UN estimates as it faces ongoing Russian aggression.
Rising Military Threats on NATO’s Eastern Flank
The defense ministers of Poland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania made the landmark announcement on Tuesday to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention, a global treaty banning anti-personnel landmines, citing Russia’s aggressive posture and the changed security environment in Eastern Europe. All four nations share borders with either Russia or its close ally Belarus, placing them on the frontline of NATO’s eastern boundary. The ministers stated that regional security threats from Russia and Belarus have “significantly increased” since they first joined the treaty, with Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia signing by 2005 and Poland joining in 2012.
This strategic shift reflects growing concerns about Russian military buildup and hybrid warfare tactics near their borders. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, these countries have dramatically increased their defense spending and military preparedness, recognizing they could potentially face similar aggression. The Baltic states and Poland have also been among the strongest supporters of Ukraine, providing substantial military and humanitarian aid relative to their GDP.
Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia are withdrawing from the Ottawa Convention, which forbids signatory countries from producing, stockpiling, and using anti-personnel landmines. pic.twitter.com/DqMiqV5ULj
— TVP World (@TVPWorld_com) March 18, 2025
Treaty Withdrawal Signals New Defense Strategy
The Ottawa Convention, which took effect in 1997, has over 160 signatories and aims to eliminate anti-personnel mines globally due to their devastating impact on civilian populations. However, several major military powers including the United States and Russia never joined the pact. The treaty prohibits the use, stockpiling, production, and transfer of anti-personnel mines, which are designed to be detonated by the presence, proximity, or contact of a person. Despite initially joining the treaty, the four nations now assert that maintaining military flexibility is “paramount” in the current security climate.
“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,” wrote the defence ministers in a joint statement.
The ministers “unanimously recommend withdrawing” from the convention while emphasizing their continued commitment to international humanitarian laws. This carefully calibrated position attempts to balance security needs with humanitarian concerns, as anti-personnel mines are notorious for causing civilian casualties long after conflicts end. The withdrawal process is expected to take several months, with each country following its own legal procedures for exiting international treaties.
Global Implications and Ukraine’s Mine Crisis
The decision highlights the broader security dilemma facing Eastern European nations as Russia continues its aggressive actions in Ukraine. According to a recent Landmine Monitor report, mines were still being used in 2023 and 2024 by several countries including Russia, Myanmar, Iran, and North Korea. This creates an asymmetric advantage for nations not bound by the treaty’s restrictions.
Meanwhile, Ukraine faces a massive mine contamination problem despite being a signatory to the Ottawa Treaty. The United Nations now considers Ukraine the most heavily mined country globally, with explosive hazards covering large swaths of territory. Ukraine has received anti-personnel mines from the United States, which is not bound by the treaty, creating a complex legal and ethical situation as it defends itself against Russia. The treaty specifically prohibits withdrawal if a nation is actively engaged in armed conflict, highlighting the complex nature of current security challenges.
