Withdrawal from Landmark Landmine Treaty Sparks Global Alarm Amid Rising Geopolitical Tensions

 A decade ago, when leaders from around the world convened in Mozambique, they renewed their pledge to eliminate one of warfare’s most devastating weapons: landmines. With the landmark Ottawa Treaty already in place, their ambition was clear — to complete global demining efforts by 2025.

Now, as 2025 arrives, that vision faces a profound challenge. Five European countries — all NATO members bordering Russia — have announced plans to withdraw from the treaty, citing escalating security threats posed by Moscow. The decision marks the first instance of nations exiting the historic accord, setting what rights groups warn could become a dangerous precedent.

Humanitarian advocates have condemned the move. Jody Williams, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate who spearheaded the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL), called the withdrawals "mind-boggling." Speaking to The Guardian, Williams said, “Landmines do not stop an invasion. They do not influence the outcome of a war. All they do is mutilate or kill your own people.”

Williams, recruited to the anti-landmine cause in the early 1990s, co-founded the ICBL alongside Vietnam War veteran Bobby Muller. Their efforts culminated in the Ottawa Treaty of 1997, one of the most widely endorsed international treaties, with more than 160 signatories. The treaty dramatically reduced landmine casualties, from over 25,000 annually to fewer than 4,000, and prompted the destruction of more than 55 million stockpiled mines.

However, the treaty's framework, like many arms control agreements, includes a provision allowing signatories to withdraw — a loophole that Williams criticizes sharply. “If you understand the logic behind banning landmines, you should not later reverse course and endanger your own civilians,” she asserted.

The recent announcements by Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Finland underscore the deepening anxieties in Eastern Europe. In a joint statement, the four NATO nations cited "significantly increased military threats" from Russia and Belarus. Finland’s Prime Minister, Petteri Orpo, echoed this sentiment, describing the withdrawal as essential to "prepare for changes in the security environment in a more versatile way."

The move comes as Russia, a non-signatory to the Ottawa Treaty, continues to employ landmines extensively in Ukraine, making the war-torn country the most heavily mined territory in the world today.

While Williams acknowledges the fear driving these decisions, she maintains that the practical effectiveness of landmines is a dangerous illusion. "Determined soldiers are not stopped by landmines. In the end, it is civilians — and especially children — who pay the highest price," she said. Data supports this grim reality: civilians account for 70% to 85% of landmine victims globally, and nearly 40% of those are children.

Williams warns that the broader implications go beyond landmines alone, striking at the very foundation of international humanitarian law. "This is a critical moment. The erosion of protections for civilians in conflict threatens to undermine the entire framework of the laws of war," she emphasized.

Her concerns are reinforced by recent developments: during a visit to Jerusalem and the West Bank, Williams witnessed firsthand the human cost of armed conflict. Upon her return, news broke that the United States, under President Donald Trump, was reducing Pentagon resources dedicated to preventing civilian harm during military operations.

"It’s all connected," Williams said. "What we are seeing is a slow, dangerous erosion of the belief that the laws of war — and the protection of civilians — still matter."