Estonia votes to leave the Landmine Ban Treaty because of a growing threat from Russia

Estonia voted to withdraw from the treaty banning landmines, citing Russia’s military threat.

Citing increasing military threats from neighboring Russia, the Estonian parliament decided on Wednesday to leave the Ottawa Convention, a global agreement that forbids the deployment of anti-personnel landmines.

A statement from the press office of the parliament stated that 81 of the 101 Estonian parliamentarians voted in favor of the withdrawal, which was a decisive action. Estonia’s move brings it into line with four other NATO and EU nations that border Russia: Finland, Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia. All four nations have made similar announcements in recent months.

In light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and its ongoing use of landmines, the nations contend that the changing security environment necessitates a review of previous defense pledges. Notably, the Ottawa Convention does not have Russia as a signatory.

Estonia’s action is viewed as a component of a larger regional change, and Latvia’s exit has already been approved by the parliament. Six months after the United Nations and treaty members get formal notification, nations are legally permitted to stockpile and use landmines. None of the five countries have yet to do so, though.

The judgments have drawn criticism from a number of people, including Nobel Peace Prize winner Jody Williams. Williams, who received the prize in 1997 for her efforts to outlaw anti-personnel mines, issued a warning about the long-term effects.

“Landmines don’t affect how a conflict turns out. “All you end up with is a mess that puts your own population at risk,” she said in an April interview with The Guardian.

Although it sparks moral and humanitarian discussion about the future of war, Estonia’s vote represents another phase in a developing regional strategy to strengthen defenses as security concerns with Russia continue to escalate.