In a striking move, a group of Eastern European countries—Poland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania—are preparing to back away from the Ottawa Treaty, a landmark agreement aimed at eliminating anti-personnel landmines. The decision is driven by increasing military threats from neighboring Russia and Belarus, as these nations feel the growing pressure to bolster their defense capabilities amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
This announcement was made collectively through a coordinated effort by the defense ministers of the four countries. The primary goal is to enhance NATO's defensive flexibility on its eastern borders. As part of this push, Poland is making bold plans to churn out up to one million landmines domestically. The production will be a collaborative effort involving the state-owned defense conglomerate PGZ and partners from the private sector.
However, this move isn't straightforward. For these countries to exit the treaty, they must notify the United Nations and secure approval from their respective parliaments—a process expected to span approximately six months.
Latvia's Defense Minister, Andris Sprūds, underscored the necessity of fortifying their deterrence capabilities, while Lithuania's Dovile Sakaliene highlighted the emphasis on border security. Meanwhile, Estonia's Defense Minister, Hanno Pevkur, stated that there are currently no plans to deploy the banned mines, although the country supports having more flexible options.
This development follows Finland's earlier contemplation about exiting the treaty, due to Russia's aggressive use of landmines in Ukraine. Notably, the United States and Russia have never signed the 1997 agreement, which includes over 160 participating countries worldwide.
Critics argue that the potential humanitarian cost is substantial. Landmines often continue to pose dangers long after military conflicts end, disproportionately affecting civilian populations. As Poland and its neighbors consider this historic change, other nations may similarly reevaluate their commitments to the treaty in light of security concerns. The regional tug-of-war echoes a broader debate on balancing military readiness with humanitarian responsibility.