On February 20, Poland formally announced its withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention, which prohibits the use of anti-personnel mines. This decision enables the country to produce and stockpile such munitions as part of its defense strategy.
The withdrawal follows a six-month denunciation period, as reported by Polish Radio. The move comes amid heightened security concerns in the region, particularly in light of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Joanna Kluzik-Rostkowska, Deputy Chair of the Parliamentary National Defense Commission, described the decision as appropriate, citing the Ukrainian experience during the initial stages of the invasion. She stated,
“At the beginning of the invasion, Ukrainians used nearly three million anti-personnel mines at the border, which significantly delayed the advance of Russian forces.”
Kluzik-Rostkowska emphasized that anti-personnel mines would inevitably appear on Polish territory in the event of conflict, raising the question of whether they would be of Russian origin or produced domestically.
She noted that it is premature to discuss the scale and storage locations of these mines, highlighting the importance of proper training for personnel involved in their deployment.
In a related development, Ukraine’s parliament suspended the Ottawa Convention on July 15, 2025, with 299 deputies voting in favor. Ukraine, which joined the convention in 2005, is now positioned to legalize the use of such munitions amid its ongoing war with Russia.
The Ottawa Convention, officially known as the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production, and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction, is an international treaty aimed at banning the use of anti-personnel mines and obliging signatory states to destroy existing stockpiles. Signed in 1997, the convention has over 160 state parties as of 2024, though notable absentees include Russia, the United States, and China.
Previously, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Finland initiated their exits from the Ottawa Convention. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has prompted these countries to reassess their positions and reach a collective political decision to withdraw.
Poland's withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention marks a significant shift in its defense policy, allowing for the production of anti-personnel mines. This move reflects broader regional security concerns, particularly in response to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.