Poland and Baltic states want to exit landmine treaty over Russia's military threat

Poland and the Baltic states said on Tuesday that they want to withdraw from an international treaty banning anti-personnel mines, citing Russia's growing military threat.

In a joint statement, the defence ministers of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland said they "unanimously recommend withdrawing from the Ottawa Convention".

The 1997 treaty — which prohibits the use, production and transfer of anti-personnel mines — has been ratified or acceded to by more than 160 countries.

Russia has not joined the agreement, and its full-scale invasion of Ukraine has turned the war-torn country into the most mine-laden nation in the world, according to reports.

"Military threats to NATO member states bordering Russia and Belarus have significantly increased," the statement said.

"We believe that in the current security environment it is paramount to provide our defence forces flexibility and freedom of choice to potentially use new weapons systems and solutions to bolster the defence of the alliance’s vulnerable eastern flank," it added.

Despite the intention to leave the treaty, the statement said the countries would remain committed to humanitarian law, including protecting civilians during armed conflict.

The four countries have all increased or vowed to boost their defence spending following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Estonia, Lithuania and Poland have pledged to spend 5% of their GDP on defence, a goal that was put forward by US President Donald Trump. The current spending target for NATO members is 2%.

In a separate statement on Tuesday, Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur said the country's military saw no need to adopt previously banned landmines.

"Decisions regarding the Ottawa Convention should be made in solidarity and coordination within the region," Pevkur said. "At the same time, we currently have no plans to develop, stockpile, or use previously banned anti-personnel landmines."

Meanwhile, Lithuanian Defence Minister Dovile Sakaliene said the recommended withdrawal sent a "clear message" about protecting the region's borders.

"The states having a border with Russia are ready to take all possible measures to ensure the safety of their citizens," she said in a statement posted on Facebook.

Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk told parliament earlier this month that he supported the country's withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention and possibly from the 2008 Dublin Convention, which bans the use of cluster munitions.

Finland, which is not a signatory of the joint statement, said in December that it was also considering leaving the treaty due to Russia's use of anti-personnel mines in Ukraine.

The US is the only NATO member state not party to the treaty. Other major nations that have not joined the pact include China, India, Pakistan and South Korea.

According to NATO, nearly 70 countries and territories are still affected by the presence of some 110 million land mines, which can remain dormant, concealed beneath the earth, for many years before being triggered.

At least 5,757 people — mostly civilians — were killed or wounded by landmines and unexploded ordnance in 2023, found an annual tally by the NGO Landmine Monitor.