The defense ministers of Poland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania said in a joint statement that their countries would leave the Ottawa Convention on the Prohibition of Anti-Personnel Mines to improve their security after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Agence France-Presse reported.
Leaving the 1997 treaty, which the ministers are recommending to the leaders of their countries that share a border with Russia, would allow them to start stockpiling anti-personnel mines again.
"With this decision, we send a clear message: our countries are ready and able to use any means necessary to protect their security needs," the defense ministers stressed in the statement si.
"Following the ratification of the Ottawa Convention on the Prohibition of Anti-Personnel Mines, the security situation in our region has deteriorated significantly", the ministers stressed. "In light of this volatile and changing security environment, marked by Russian aggression and the continuing threat it poses to the Euro-Atlantic community, it is essential to assess all measures aimed at strengthening our deterrence and defence capabilities," the ministers said in a joint statement.
The four countries stressed that they "adhere to international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians in armed conflict."
"Our nations will continue to uphold these principles while meeting their security needs," they assured.
Last week, Lithuania's defence minister said that Finland, which also borders Russia, may also decide to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention. The five countries had already indicated that they were considering withdrawing from the Convention.