Poland and Baltic States Announce Withdrawal from Mine Ban Treaty

Citing heightened security threats from Russia and Belarus, the four NATO members plan to exit the Ottawa Treaty, pending parliamentary approval.

Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia have formally announced their intent to withdraw from the 1997 Ottawa Treaty banning anti-personnel landmines.
The joint decision is attributed to a 'fundamentally deteriorated' security environment and increased military threats from neighboring Russia and Belarus.
The withdrawal must still be approved by the national parliaments of the four countries, with the process expected to take six months after approval.
Despite the planned withdrawal, the countries emphasized their continued commitment to international humanitarian law and civilian protection during conflicts.
Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have criticized the move, warning of the long-term humanitarian risks posed by landmines.