Poland and the Baltic to give up the mines contract because of Russia’s fears

Poland and the Baltic States have announced plans to withdraw from a key international treaty prohibiting anti-persoon mines, citing the growing threat from Russia.

In a joint statement, the Ministers of Defense of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland said that after the signing of the Treaty by Ottawa, the threats from Moscow and its ally Belarus “increase” significantly.

“Main” is to give their troops “flexibility and freedom of choice,” to protect NATO’s Eastern flank, they said.

The Ottawa Treaty, also known as Mina’s Prohibition Treaty, came into force in 1997. It aims to ban anti -perring mines – those aimed at people – globally and is signed by more than 160 countries.

But some major military forces – including China, India, Russia, Pakistan and the United States – have never registered with it.

All Baltic States had signed the Convention until 2005, while Poland joined in 2012.

In their joint statement On Tuesday, however, the defense ministers said, however, that the security situation in their region after signing the contract had “worse”.

“In the light of these reasons, we … unanimously recommend that you withdraw from the Ottawa Convention.

“With this decision we send a clear message: our countries are prepared and can use any necessary measure to protect our territory and freedom,” the Defense Ministers wrote.

But they stressed that despite plans to leave the contract, Poland and the Baltic countries are still engaged in international humanitarian laws, “including the protection of civilians during armed conflict.”

“Our nations will continue to maintain these principles as they handle our security needs,” they wrote.

All four countries are in the NATO Alliance and all four share borders with Russia.

Since the beginning of the full -scale invasion of Russia in Ukraine in 2022, the Baltic States and Poland have significantly increased military expenses and have leaned great support for Ukraine.

According to the brain trust of the Kiel Institute, according to a percentage of GDP, the Baltic States and Poland are among the highest donors for help for Ukraine.

Ukraine has signed the Ottawa Treaty, although He has received land mines from the United States During the full -scale invasion of Russia and in the past, he told the UN that because of the invasion of Russia cannot guarantee He complies with the contract.

Article 20 of the Convention However, it states that a nation cannot withdraw from the treaty if it is currently at war.

UN star Ukraine is now the most acquired nation in the world.