In brief
In a significant shift away from decades of disarmament efforts, Poland, the Baltic States, Finland, and Ukraine are moving towards exiting the Mine Ban Treaty, originally established to prohibit antipersonnel mines. This treaty, in place since 1999, was largely influenced by anti-mine advocacy championed by figures like Princess Diana. The renewed interest in land mines follows the escalation of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, prompting these nations to seek enhanced defensive measures. Tamar Gabelnick, the director of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, expressed outrage at this pivot, reflecting deep concerns among disarmament advocates about the humanitarian implications of rearming with such weapons. Although formal separation from the treaty is a lengthy process, the changing landscape raises fears of reverting to Cold War-era tactics that could jeopardize civilian safety and escalate existing tensions.
