Introduction On 18 March 2025, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia announced their withdrawal from the 1997 Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti- Personnel Mines and on their Destruction (Ottawa Convention or the Convention). In their joint statement they expressed their concern regarding the deterioration of security and increased military threats to NATO Member States bordering Russia and Belarus. They also stated that their withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention aimed at defending their territory and freedom. At the same time, they vouched their commitment to international humanitarian law and the protection of civilians in…