According to the Polish Ministry of Defense, the move is currently a joint recommendation by the four countries’ defense ministries rather than a formal government decision.
In a statement from Lithuania’s defense ministry, officials described the plan as “a clear signal” that nations on Russia’s border are prepared to adopt “all possible measures” for their citizens’ security.
Moscow—which launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022—has never signed the Ottawa Convention. It is believed to hold substantial stockpiles of anti-personnel mines, which Ukrainian authorities say Russia deploys extensively in the conflict.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has pledged to recommend Poland’s withdrawal, with Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz noting that the decision—once approved by the government—would need to pass through parliament and be signed into law by the president.
The plan ties into the Eastern Shield project for defensive fortifications along Poland’s eastern frontier.
Currently, Polish forces may only legally use anti-tank mines.
'Threat to Euro-Atlantic community'
The Polish, Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian defense ministers issued a statement emphasizing heightened regional security threats amid Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
They jointly declared their intention to leave the convention, arguing that "military threats to NATO member states bordering Russia and Belarus have significantly increased" since their countries joined.
"We believe that in the current security environment it is paramount to provide our defense forces flexibility and freedom of choice to potentially use new weapons systems and solutions to bolster the defense of the alliance’s vulnerable eastern flank," the four ministers said.
"In light of this unstable security environment, marked by Russian aggression and its ongoing threat to the Euro-Atlantic community, it is essential to evaluate all measures that could strengthen our deterrence and defense capabilities," they wrote.
The statement added that, despite their intention to leave the treaty, the countries would remain committed to humanitarian law, including protecting civilians during armed conflicts.
Adopted in 1997, the Ottawa Convention bans the use, stockpiling, production and transfer of anti-personnel landmines, aiming to eradicate them as a weapon of war.
Poland signed the agreement in 1997 but only ratified it in 2012.
(jh/gs)
Source: PAP, IAR, RMF24
Click on the player above for an audio report by Marcin Matuszewski.