“If we start to weaken our commitment, it facilitates the factions in war of the world to use these weapons again, because it reduces stigma,” he added.
The 1997 Ottawa Convention underwent increased pressure due to the Kremlin War against Ukraine, especially in the neighboring countries of Russia, which are wary of the enlarged aggression of Moscow.
Finland’s decision to withdraw from the treaty has left Norway as the only European country which limits Russia (nations share a border almost 200 kilometers long in the Far North) which does not plan to store land mines again.
On March 18, Poland and the three Baltic countries announced their intention to leave the international convention due to the threats perceived against the member countries of NATO limited Russia and Bélarus.
“We believe that in the current security environment, it is essential to provide our defense forces with flexibility and freedom of choice to potentially use new weapons systems and solutions to strengthen the defense of the vulnerable oriental flank of the Alliance,” said ministers of defense of Poland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania in a press release.
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