The countries neighboring Russia—Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia—are considering leaving the international treaty that bans landmines, though they affirm they have no intention of actually using them. Calling attention to heightened military threats from Russia, the defense ministers of these nations emphasized their unanimous intention to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention, a treaty more than 160 countries have signed to prohibit landmines. They argue that the security situation in their region has deteriorated since the treaty’s adoption in 1999, noting that neither Russia nor the United States is a party to the convention. Despite their plan to exit the treaty, these countries reiterate their commitment to international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians, with Estonia’s defense minister expressly stating that they currently have no plans to deploy or use antiqued antipersonnel mines. Furthermore, a recent report from the Landmine Monitor states that Russia, Myanmar, Iran, and North Korea continue to use landmines as of 2023 and 2024.

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/3/18/poland-and-baltic-states-to-dump-landmine-treaty-citing-russian-threat?traffic_source=rss