Estonia and Lithuania have notified the UN of their withdrawal from the Anti-Personnel Landmines Convention to strengthen their defenses in the face of Russian aggression.

Estonia and Lithuania have decided to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention banning anti-personnel landmines in response to the deteriorating security situation in the region caused by Russia's aggression in Ukraine. The parliaments of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, as well as Finland, have approved the measure, while Poland is awaiting Senate approval to finalize its exit. The withdrawal is motivated by national security considerations, according to a statement by the Estonian foreign ministry.