Ottawa Treaty

Withdrawals from the Ottawa Convention: Several NATO members, including Poland, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, are withdrawing from the 1997 Ottawa Convention (Landmine Treaty).

Reason for Withdrawal: Increased security threats from Russia, amid the Russia-Ukraine war, are the primary reason. Countries fear Russia may re-arm during a ceasefire and pose a greater danger. They also want to level the playing field with Russia, which is not a signatory to the treaty.

Ottawa Convention (1997): It bans the use, production, stockpiling, and transfer of anti-personnel landmines. Signatories must destroy stockpiles within 4 years, clear mined areas, and assist victims.

Impact of Withdrawals: Countries can resume producing, using, stockpiling, and transferring landmines.

Funding Cuts: Global demining efforts are suffering from significant cuts in US funding. The US has historically been the largest funder of mine action.

Civilian Victims: Over 80% of landmine victims are civilians. Ukraine is now the most mined country globally, with a high number of civilian casualties.

Stockpile Obligations: The convention requires countries to destroy landmine stockpiles within four years, but compliance is not universal.

Cluster Munitions: Some countries withdrawing from the Landmine Treaty are also considering leaving the Convention on Cluster Munitions. The US, which is not a signatory, transferred cluster munitions to Ukraine in 2023.