By Wang Daning
Recently, several countries in Eastern Europe, including Poland, the three Baltic states, and Ukraine, as well as Finland in Northern Europe, have successively announced their withdrawal from the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction (known informally as the Ottawa Treaty). Analysts believe this reflects a shift in the security policy orientation of many European countries and will have a certain impact on regional security dynamics.
Reflecting security anxiety
On June 29, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a presidential decree announcing that Ukraine would withdraw from the Ottawa Treaty. According to procedure, Ukraine's withdrawal still requires a vote by parliament and the formal submission of a notice to the UN, after which it will take effect. Just two days earlier, the three Baltic countriesalso submitted documents to the UN declaring their withdrawal from the Ottawa Treaty. Under the convention's rules, the three countries will formally withdraw six months later. In addition, Finland and Poland have also begun their withdrawal procedures.
The ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, now lasting more than three years, has not only profoundly impacted the security environment across Europe but also reshaped European countries' understanding of modern warfare. They have gradually come to realize that, compared with new weapons such as hypersonic missiles, artillery rockets, fighter jets, and drones, traditional landmines still play a significant role in large-scale ground battles. Given that the Trump administration in the US intends to supply Ukraine with large quantities of landmines, Ukraine decided to withdraw from the Ottawa Treaty, aiming at freeing itself from legal constraints.
Some analysts believe that the three Baltic States, Poland, and Finland, all EU members and so-called "frontline countries" on NATO's eastern flank, share similar security perspectives and policies. The potential escalation or spillover of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, coupled with the Trump administration's wavering commitment to European security, has placed real pressure on these countries, directly driving their decisions to withdraw from the treaty.
Through withdrawal from the Ottawa Treaty, these European nations aim to give their armed forces more tactical options. Previously, Poland's Ministry of Defense stated that although Poland currently does not possess anti-personnel mines, it does have the capability to produce them. Poland plans to manufacture up to one million mines, with both state-owned and private arms manufacturers participating in the production. These mines are expected to be deployed along Poland's borders with Russia and Belarus. Likewise, Lithuania is preparing to purchase 85,000 anti-tank mines worth a total of €50 million and is working to quickly establish its mine production plan.
Accelerating policy adjustment
Mines, as an inexpensive and easy-to-produce weapon, have been a potent tool on the battlefield since being invented and are still widely used in modern warfare. However, once deployed, mines are notoriously difficult to clear and often cause indiscriminate harm to people. In light of this, 121 countries signed the Ottawa Treaty in Canada in 1997 to prohibitthe use, stockpiling, production, and transfer of anti-personnel mines. To date, 143 countries have joined the treaty, with most European nations staying in the treaty over the years.
Recently, several European countries announced their withdrawal from the Ottawa Treaty and decided to resume the production and use of landmines, reflecting the impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict on the security landscape in Europe. The relatively muted response from the EU and other NATO members to these withdrawals indicates that the security policy orientation of European countries is increasingly shifting from an emphasis on rule-based constraints and values-driven principles to a more pragmatic approach.
The protracted Russia-Ukraine conflict, combined with the Trump administration's transactional approach to diplomacy under the "America First"stance, has pushed European countries to prioritize "security first" over "humanitarian concerns,"choosing to pursue peace through strength. Analysts warn that the withdrawal of multiple European countries from the Ottawa Treaty will further complicate the regional security situation. Striking a balance between practical security needs and international moral responsibilities will be key to the future adjustment and reshaping of Europe's security architecture.
