Devastatingly, five European countries have made official motions in their Parliaments to withdraw from the life-saving Ottawa Treaty banning landmines: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, and Poland. On 27 June 2025, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania deposited their instrument of withdrawal with the United Nations formalizing their withdrawal, which will take place 6 months from now. 

As Tamar Gabelnick, Director of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) said, "The purpose of international humanitarian instruments like the Mine Ban Treaty is to place limits on the means and methods of war if ever a state is involved in armed conflict. It therefore shows remarkably bad faith to walk away from such commitments the day conflict may actually be on the horizon.” 

The International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) and the organizations that make up this global coalition, including Mines Action Canada, advocated strongly against these deadly decisions by contacting the Parliamentarians in each country, holding meetings with representatives of the governments, and leading public petitions against the withdrawals. Through this advocacy, there were a number of Parliamentarians who did vote no, and in Finland 24 Parliamentarians were absent for the vote in protest. Over 80,000 signatures were gathered from people around the world, mostly in Europe, calling on these countries not to abandon the Treaty. 

These countries have all cited heightened security concerns and the need to protect their borders, however these justifications go against the research proving that the humanitarian harm landmines cause far outweighs their military utility. Minefields can be breached by militaries in under two hours, or even in minutes, and can reduce the ability for your own army to have tactical mobility. 

Another justification that these countries are using is that if they do use landmines, they will use them in compliance with International Humanitarian Law (IHL). In a press release from the ICBL, they warn that it is not possible to use landmines in a way that complies with IHL because of their indiscriminate nature. It is therefore very misleading that these States are suggesting they can use landmines in compliance with IHL. 

Now, Ukraine is also discussing withdrawing from the Ottawa Treaty banning landmines. However, this process would look different from the previous five countries because the Treaty explicitly prohibits States Parties from withdrawing while they are actively engaged in armed conflict. 

Canada, as the leading country who made the Ottawa Treaty banning landmines a reality, and a great supporter of mine action in Ukraine, should speak out against this deadly decision. In 2024, Canada funded over $30 million towards mine action in Ukraine. We know that landmine clearance is a slow and expensive process that requires international support from countries like Canada who have the finances to contribute towards a mine-free world. Endorsing Ukraine's withdrawal from the Ottawa Treaty, or showing support through silence, would be a major backslide after all the mine action assistance Canada has provided to Ukraine. It is imperative that Canada uses their position as an ally to Ukraine, and supporter of the Ottawa Treaty, to discourage Ukraine from making a political decision that will lead to even more civilian casualties and decreased funding towards important mine action activities. 

Strong self-defence can be achieved without reverting to weapons that were banned decades ago. Going back to weapons that largely kill and maim civilians is not a modern solution for defence. Mines Action Canada, alongside the ICBL, denounces these countries decision to abandon the Ottawa Treaty banning landmines and urgently reminds these countries that there is still time to discuss better solutions. 

Read MAC's press release on this topic by clicking here.