Lithuania withdraws from the Anti-Personnel Mines Convention, citing a 'significant worsening of the security situation' in the region.
Fresh Take:
Lithuania said its goodbyes to the Ottawa Convention on May 8, with Parliament giving the green light for the nation to exit the international anti-personnel mine treaty. This move comes as a response to the escalating tensions with Russia following their aggressive actions in Ukraine.
The Lithuanian Defense Ministry, via Twitter, announced the decision with a strong statement: "Lithuania is leaving the Ottawa convention today." Withdrawal from the treaty will take effect six months down the line.
Not wasting any time, the Defense Minister promptly declared that Lithuania is already gearing up for the production and procurement of mines. In a Facebook post, Minister Dovile Sakaliene described Russia's actions in Ukraine as barbaric, adding that every possible (and impossible) measure is being taken to safeguard the nation's citizens.
A total of 107 Lithuanian parliamentarians voted in favor of the decision, while three abstained. Curiously, not a single vote was cast against the proposal. Similar moves were made earlier by Poland and the Baltic states, with Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia all announcing their decision to leave the convention in March.
Interestingly, Lettish deputies were the first to authorize the exit from the treaty, on April 16. As the Ottawa convention forbids the use, storage, production, and transfer of these mines, it has been ratified by more than 160 countries, excluding Russia, the United States, and China.
The Lithuanian government feels compelled to boost its defensive capabilities, considering the worsening security situation in the region, with potential military threats lurking from Russia and Belarus. The decision to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention allows for the acquisition of anti-personnel mines, which are seen as crucial for deterring potential attacks.
- Lithuania, following the escalating tensions with Russia, announced their intent to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention, a multilateral treaty aimed at protecting against war-and-conflicts-related issues like use, storage, and transfer of mines.
- The Lithuanian Defense Minister, Dovile Sakaliene, stated that the withdrawal from the convention is necessary to protect Lithuania's citizens, given the barbaric actions of Russia in Ukraine and the deteriorating politics in the region.
- In the Lithuanian Parliament, 107 representatives voted in favor of exiting the Ottawa Convention, with no votes against, showing a general consensus on the need for increased defensive capabilities.
- As part of the multi-step process, Lithuania has already started planning for the production and procurement of mines, a move aimed at safeguarding the nation amidst growing war-and-conflicts threats from neighboring countries like Russia and Belarus.
