Lithuania has officially withdrawn from the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Treaty

Today, December 27, the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction (Ottawa Convention). The withdrawal takes effect six months after presentation of exit document to the United Nations Secretary General (the depository).

From now on, Lithuania is not bound by obligations of the Convention and is allowed to purchase or manufacture anti-personnel mines prioritizing Lithuanian manufacturers corresponding to the defence needs of Lithuania.

Anti-personnel mines are an effective and a rather inexpensive instrument to disrupt dismounted advance of enemy infantry and make a strong and steadfast defence line that blocks out armed incursion.

"Lithuania's decision to withdraw from the Ottawa convention has been motivated by the necessity to dig in to all our options of strengthening deterrence and defence capabilities. Our Armed Forces needs flexibility and freedom to avail of all measures against potential aggression and protect the eastern flank of the Alliance," says Minister of National Defence Robertas Kaunas.

Lithuania will continue adhering to the recognized principles and norms of the international law addressing methods and means of warfare and protection of civilians even after denouncing the Ottawa Convention.

Lithuania ratified the Ottawa Convention in 2003. The security situation has deteriorated since then fundamentally. Military threats faced by Lithuania and the other members of NATO bordering the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus have increased significantly. The Russian Federation resorts to military aggression to advance its goals, grossly violates the international law and disrespects its international commitments. Russia, the aggressor in the war in Ukraine, is not a party to the Ottawa Convention. It has vast stockpiles of anti-personnel mines and uses them intensely against a signatory of the Ottawa Convention, Ukraine.

Lithuania is absolutely serious about its commitments concerning implementation of the Geneva Conventions and the Additional Protocols and will do everything required to mitigate any humanitarian implications of anti-personnel mine use. Potential harmful effect of the land mines might be mitigated if strict procedures and rules of use are set.