Russian Neighbors Seek to Reauthorize Land Mines

Poland and the Baltic states—Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania—said they want to withdraw from a treaty banning the use of antipersonnel mines, Euronews reported on Tuesday.

• Finland said in December that it may also leave the treaty.

The joint statement shows the desire to withdraw from this treaty comes from a fear of Russia. This threat is stirring a militaristic spirit in Europe.

Details: The 1997 Ottawa Convention bans the production, use and trade of land mines. More than 160 countries ratified it.

Russia, which did not ratify the treaty, has populated Ukraine with more land mines since its 2022 invasion than any other nation.

The statement by Poland and the Baltic states follows a trend encouraged by United States President Donald Trump. Estonia, Lithuania and Poland said they will follow Mr. Trump’s call to increase military spending to 5 percent of their gross domestic products.

• Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk also said he may be willing to withdraw from the 2008 Dublin Convention, which prohibits cluster munitions.

The states having a border with Russia are ready to take all possible measures to ensure the safety of their citizens.
—Dovile Sakaliene, Lithuanian defense minister

Prophesied militarism: The Bible prophesied Europe would militarize—largely out of fear of Russia. This story illustrates the accuracy of Bible prophecy.

Learn more: Read Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry’s 2022 article “Bible Prophecy Comes Alive in Ukraine.”