Lithuania exits Ottawa treaty amid regional security concerns
Thursday's vote in the Lithuanian parliament determined Lithuania's withdrawal from the Ottawa Treaty. This treaty prohibits, among other things, the production of anti-personnel mines.
"We’ve withdrawn from the Ottawa Convention. It was a tough but necessary decision," announced Defence Minister Dovile Szakaliene on platform X. In mid-March the termination of the convention was recommended by, among others, the defence ministers of Poland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
In a joint statement, they argued that the Russian aggression in Ukraine has worsened the security situation in the region. "Our countries are prepared and can use every necessary measure to defend our territory and freedom," reads the statement.
The first country to decide on terminating the agreement was Latvia. The local parliament supported this solution as early as 16 April this year. On Thursday, the Lithuanian parliament made the same decision.
More countries announce withdrawal from the treaty
The Baltic countries are not the only ones considering withdrawing from the treaty. The Finnish government has announced a similar intention. As representatives of the Finnish armed forces emphasised, Russia is not a party to the treaty and uses anti-personnel mines on the front in Ukraine.
The Ottawa Convention of 1997 prohibits the use, stockpiling, production, and transfer of anti-personnel mines. Its signatories have committed to destroying the mines. The convention has been ratified by over 160 countries. Countries such as China, Russia, and the United States have not decided to adopt it.
