Russia slams Poland, Baltic states over anti-personnel mine convention exit

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova criticised Poland’s decision, which entered into force on February 20, to withdraw from the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, noting that Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, and Finland had previously taken similar steps.

Zakharova stated that these countries’ justifications citing a perceived Russian threat are unfounded and serve to justify the erosion of international agreements, warning that such actions worsen the situation and undermine the stability of global commitments, Caliber.Az reports per the Russian Foreign Ministry's Telegram channel.

“Attempts by the mentioned states to justify their steps with ‘national security considerations’ and an alleged military threat from Russia do not withstand any criticism,” she said.

She also addressed Ukraine’s position, noting that while Kyiv initially planned to withdraw from the convention, it later submitted notification of a “suspension” of participation. According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, Ukraine continued using anti-personnel mines despite its obligations to destroy them.

The Russian side further argued that the withdrawal of several countries from the convention reflects weakening international arms control mechanisms. 

Although Russia is not a party to the treaty, it maintains compliance with Amended Protocol II and Protocol V of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons, often referred to as the convention on “inhumane” weapons.

Zakharova warned that such steps could trigger a “domino effect,” encouraging other states to follow suit and thereby weakening the convention while increasing risks to international security. 

“Against this background, certain EU states with developed military-industrial capabilities are already attempting to derive financial benefit from meeting the growing demand for anti-personnel mines on the international market,” she added.

The Anti‑Personnel Mine Ban Convention (often called the Ottawa Treaty) is a global disarmament agreement that outlaws the use, production, stockpiling, and transfer of anti‑personnel landmines and requires states to destroy existing stockpiles and clear contaminated land. 

It was negotiated through the Ottawa Process in 1997 and entered into force on March 1, 1999, after enough states ratified it, making it binding under international law.

The treaty also obliges States Parties to assist victims and promote mine clearance as part of humanitarian and development efforts.

Since its adoption, the convention has driven the destruction of tens of millions of stockpiled mines and significantly reduced new casualties in many affected countries.

By Jeyhun Aghazada