Since February 2022, NATO's eastern border defense has become critical, especially for countries bordering Russia. Five NATO nations—Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland—have committed to improving border security through fences and surveillance. They are now seeking to bolster their defenses further by withdrawing from the Ottawa Convention, which prohibits anti-personnel mines. This controversial decision could lead to producing and storing mines by the end of 2025, raising serious concerns about civilian safety, as historical data indicates high casualties from land mines, particularly among civilians, including children.
These five NATO countries recently announced their withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention, the 1997 treaty which bans anti-personnel mines worldwide and prohibits their use.
Such mines are highly controversial, as they can be a danger for both soldiers and civilians. Uncleared mines remain a long-term threat after the end of a conflict.
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