Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Poland Votes to Withdraw from Landmine Ban Amid Threats

6/27/2025

39 6

Summary

Story summary

In a significant move, Poland's Sejm has voted overwhelmingly—413 to 15—to withdraw from the Ottawa Treaty banning anti-personnel landmines. Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz emphasized the necessity for greater national defense flexibility, echoing similar decisions by Finland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania in response to rising Russian threats. Prime Minister Donald Tusk spearheaded this proposal earlier this year.

1 of 1

Story summary

In a significant move, Poland's Sejm has voted overwhelmingly—413 to 15—to withdraw from the Ottawa Treaty banning anti-personnel landmines. Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz emphasized the necessity for greater national defense flexibility, echoing similar decisions by Finland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania in response to rising Russian threats. Prime Minister Donald Tusk spearheaded this proposal earlier this year.