Poland and Baltic states to dump landmine treaty citing Russian threat

In response to potential military threats from neighboring Russia, Poland and the Baltic countries have signed a global agreement banning the use of landmines.

Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia’s defense ministers “unanimously recommend withdrawing from the Ottawa Convention,” according to a statement released on Tuesday.

Since the signing of the treaty in 1999 by more than 160 nations, despite the signing of them by Russia and the United States, the statement asserted that the security situation there has “fundamentally deteriorated.”

The statement read, “Military threats to NATO member states bordering Belarus and Russia have significantly increased.”

The same year that the treaty was ratified, Poland joined the Western military alliance. In 2004, the Baltic countries joined NATO.

Our nations are prepared and can use every possible way to defend our territory and freedom, the statement continued.

The Baltic Baltic countries, which were once a part of the Soviet Union, have repeatedly warned that Ukraine’s security is threatened by the apparent US-Russian approchement.

The defense ministers stated that they would continue to support humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians during armed conflicts, despite their intentions to withdraw from the Ottawa Treaty.

“We currently have no plans to develop, stockpile, or use previously prohibited antipersonnel landmines,” said Estonia’s defense minister, Hanno Pevkur.

Even after reversing from the Ottawa Convention, Estonia and our regional allies are committed to upholding international humanitarian law and the protection of civilians, he added.