NATO Allies Rethink Landmine Ban in Face of Russian Threat
The global fight against landmines is facing a serious setback, reports Nathan Klabin for The Media Line, as several NATO countries bordering Russia—Poland, Finland, and the Baltic states—move to withdraw from the 1997 Ottawa Treaty banning antipersonnel mines. Their decision, announced ahead of this year’s International Day for Landmine Awareness on April 4, reflects a growing belief that landmines are necessary to deter potential Russian aggression.
This shift comes as the war in Ukraine enters its third year, and as Eastern European governments reassess defense strategies. Polish officials described their withdrawal from the treaty as part of a “military recalibration,” citing the tactical effectiveness of mines in slowing enemy forces. Other measures under consideration include the return of compulsory military service in Poland.
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Critics warn that such moves threaten decades of progress. Tamar Gabelnick of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines said the strategic value of mines is limited, while their long-term humanitarian costs are immense. Martin Barber, former director of the UN Mine Action Service, called them “barbaric,” emphasizing that most victims are civilians—especially children and farmers.
Israel offers a stark reminder of those costs. Despite using few mines in recent years, it still faces contamination from past conflicts. Clearing these areas, often for solar development, is slow and costly. Meanwhile, Iran-backed groups in Lebanon are planting new landmines near Israel’s border, complicating the security picture.
Klabin’s reporting underscores how landmine policy is once again at a turning point—just as decades of consensus appear to be unraveling. To understand the global and regional consequences of this shift, read Nathan Klabin’s full article at The Media Line.
