In a joint statement, the defense ministers of Lithuania, Poland, Latvia and Estonia have announced their collective recommendation that their respective nations withdraw from the Anti-personnel Mine Ban Convention (Ottawa Convention). Citing the “deteriorated” security situation in Eastern Europe, the joint statement voices the defense ministers’ desire to field capabilities that give their respective forces the ability to respond to and defend against threats.

Note: This statement does not announce their withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention and instead communicates their desire to do so.