Overview

• Finland, Poland, Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia have formally announced plans to withdraw from the Ottawa Treaty, citing threats from Russian aggression.
• This marks a significant shift in European defense policy, with these nations emphasizing the military utility of landmines for territorial defense.
• The move has been criticized by humanitarian organizations and countries like Norway, which stress the long-term risks to civilians and the erosion of international norms.
• Modern landmine technologies, including remotely deactivatable mines, are being discussed as potential ways to balance military needs with humanitarian concerns.
• Global demining efforts face setbacks due to U.S. funding cuts, with Ukraine now recognized as the most heavily mined country in the world.