Anti -personion mines: Baltic states want to deter Russia

The Baltic States of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have informed the United Nations about their exit from the Ottawa Convention on the ban on anti-personnel mines. The three EU and NATO countries bordering Russia submitted a corresponding formal explanation to come into force six months after its receipt. This was announced by the Foreign Minister in Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius.

The Ottawa Convention provides for a comprehensive ban on commitment, storage, manufacture and forwarding of all types of people who are considered particularly cruel weapons. The contract was concluded in 1997 and since then signed by more than 160 countries – including Germany. Like the United States and China, Russia has not joined the convention.

The withdrawal from Ottawa Convention had previously been decided by the government in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania and approved by the parliament. This was followed by the three countries of a common recommendation by the Minister of Defense of the Baltic States and Poland. Finland later also joined the project.

The exit is a reaction to the perceived threat of Russia and its war of aggression against Ukraine, which is seen as a direct danger to national security in the Baltic States. With the step, the deterrent and defense skills are intended to strengthen and give the military more flexibility and freedom of choice.

Humanitarian aid organizations and numerous Nobel laureates criticized the decision and also called on the federal government to work for the Ottawa Convention. UN Secretary General António Guterres was also concerned. The Baltic states, on the other hand, emphasize that they will comply with the principles and norms of humanitarian international law and to protect the civilian population even after withdrawing from the agreement.