Lithuania and Estonia Notify UN of Withdrawal from Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Treaty
Lithuania and Estonia have formally notified the United Nations of their decision to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention, the 1997 international treaty banning the use, stockpiling, production, and transfer of anti-personnel landmines, The Gaze reports, citing LRT.
Lithuania submitted its official documents to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, as confirmed by Ridas Jasiulionis, advisor to Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda. Estonia followed with the same procedure on Friday. Latvia has also sent notification of its withdrawal.
The withdrawal will come into force six months after the submission of the documents.
Lithuania’s decision reflects mounting regional security concerns, primarily linked to Russia’s aggression. In a statement on X, Kęstutis Budrys, Lithuania’s Foreign Minister, emphasized the existential nature of the threat posed by the Kremlin:
“Lithuania harbours no illusions: Putin’s Russia is the greatest long-term existential threat to Europe. It wages war to achieve political goals, undermines stability through sabotage, and is preparing for prolonged confrontation,” Budrys stated.
He added that Lithuania will defend “its state, population, and every inch of NATO territory — with all effective military means.”
“Lithuania’s commitment to responsible defence and International Humanitarian Law, including the protection of civilians, remains unwavering,” Budrys noted, underlining that the decision to withdraw from the treaty was not taken lightly.
The Lithuanian parliament had already voted to denounce the Ottawa Convention in May, and the decision was later signed by President Nausėda.
The move comes as part of a broader regional response: the Ministries of Defense of Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Poland, and Finland have previously announced plans to reevaluate their obligations under the treaty in light of increased military threats in Eastern Europe.
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