Estonia and Lithuania announce withdrawal from international ban on anti-personnel mines
Amidst current geopolitical challenges and the worsening security situation in the region, Estonia and Lithuania have officially notified the United Nations of their intention to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention, which bans the use of anti-personnel mines. This is a clear indication of a change in the approaches of partners in Europe to arms control and security efforts amid the escalating conflict situation around Ukraine. According to data released by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of these countries, on June 27, Estonian diplomacy sent a corresponding official note to the UN, informing about its decision. Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsakhna confirmed that this step is due to the tense situation in the region due to Russian aggression against Ukraine, which not only jeopardized security stability, but also forced the country to reconsider its policy on the use of anti-personnel mines. According to Tsakhna, the decision to withdraw from the convention is a strategic step, driven by weighty national security considerations and the desire to provide an additional level of defense capability. At the same time, the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry reported that the initiative to denounce the Ottawa Convention was also submitted to the UN, adding that this step would contribute to strengthening the defense potential and deterrent measures against Russia. The corresponding statement explains that the denunciation of the convention is part of Lithuania's strategic line to strengthen its own defense capability and demonstrate unconditional support for NATO. "The denunciation of this international agreement will have the opposite effect of deterring Russian actions and logically underlines our determination to protect the territorial integrity and security of the country by any available means," the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry said in a statement. According to the assurances of both countries, the decision to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention will come into force six months after the official notification to the UN, which opens a new stage in their defense policy, aimed at increasing defense capabilities in the context of modern challenges. The prehistory of flights in this area has its own peculiarities. On June 13, Estonian President Alar Karis officially approved the decision to withdraw from the convention, citing the need to adapt security policy to modern realities. Similarly, on May 8, the Lithuanian parliament adopted a decision to denounce the agreement that previously banned the use of anti-personnel mines. At the same time, Norway announced its decision to remain a party to the Ottawa Convention, given its confidence in the sufficiency of modern weapons systems to protect the country and the security of allies. Thus, Estonia and Lithuania’s withdrawal from the international ban resonates with efforts to strengthen the defense capabilities of individual states and underscores the growing role of regional security in the context of geopolitical instability in Europe. This decision may have long-term implications for the formation of new strategies of deterrence and security in the region, demonstrating that countries are ready to act in the interests of their own defense in response to modern challenges.