Overview

• Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia have announced their withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention banning anti-personnel mines, citing increased military threats from Russia and Belarus.
• Lithuania has already fortified its border with Russia's Kaliningrad region using mines and tank barriers, signaling a broader shift toward militarization in the region.
• The four countries assert their commitment to international humanitarian law, including civilian protection, despite leaving the treaty.
• Poland is planning to introduce mandatory military service for combat-capable men, with a model expected by the end of the year.
• NATO is advancing plans for a Baltic Sea security force, incorporating advanced technologies like marine drones to bolster defense in the region.