Threat from Russia: Germany discusses the possibility of withdrawing from the Ottawa Treaty

German MP from the Christian Democratic Union, Roderich Kiesewetter, spoke in favor of a possible temporary withdrawal of Germany from the Ottawa Convention on the Prohibition of Anti-Personnel Mines.

He stated this in an interview with the ZDF television channel, DW reports.

“I am in favor of temporarily withdrawing from the Ottawa Treaty. Until Russia begins to recognize the right of its neighboring states to exist,” Kiesewetter explained.

The deputy referred to the fact that several countries that are constantly faced with Russian military aggression have already chosen this path due to their own ideas about security.

“Countries that have already withdrawn from the convention feel in danger due to Russia’s brutal actions. This type of weapon is prohibited by the Ottawa Treaty because it can be used to achieve large-scale military successes very quickly. We will be right if we accept and understand the security concerns that these countries feel,” the politician added.

Although Germany does not border Russia or Belarus, Kiesewetter drew attention to the permanent deployment of a German tank brigade in Lithuania. According to him, the Ukrainian format makes not only Germany itself, but also its military units in the region strategically vulnerable.

“Germany should ask itself whether we are becoming a target in Lithuania and whether we are making ourselves vulnerable due to the lack of deterrent factors,” the deputy emphasized.

As a reminder, the Baltic countries notified the UN of their withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention, which prohibits the use of anti-personnel mines.

As reported, the Finnish parliament has approved the country’s withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention, which bans landmines . In the future, the Defense Forces will be allowed to use such weapons.

In addition, Lithuania and Finland plan to launch their own production of anti-personnel mines as early as 2025. The main goal is to strengthen national security against the threat from Russia, as well as provide military support to Ukraine.

By the way, the Verkhovna Rada adopted a law suspending the international Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines for the duration of the war.

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