Poland officially exited the international treaty banning landmines on Friday, February 20, 2026, and announced its intention to deploy both anti-personnel and anti-tank mines along its eastern borders, citing an escalating threat from Russia. The move marks a significant shift in Poland’s defense strategy and comes as neighboring countries reassess their security postures in light of Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
The 1997 Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Treaty, known as the Ottawa Convention, prohibits the use, stockpiling, production, and transfer of anti-personnel mines. Poland ratified the treaty in 2012 and had completed the destruction of its stockpile of such mines by 2016. Although, Deputy Defense Minister Paweł Zalewski stated that the mines are now “one of the most important elements of the defense structure we are constructing on the eastern flank of NATO, in Poland, on the border with Russia in the north and with Belarus in the east.”
Zalewski emphasized that Russia, which has not signed the Ottawa Convention, “has very aggressive intentions vis a vis its neighbors,” necessitating a strengthening of Poland’s defenses. The decision to withdraw from the treaty and remanufacture mines was made after a period of reassessment following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Warsaw joined Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Ukraine in announcing its intention to exit the treaty last year.
Poland is developing capabilities to rapidly deploy landmines. The Polish-manufactured unmanned vehicles, known as Bluszcz (Ivy), are capable of laying anti-tank mines within 48 hours, according to reports. These systems are intended to bolster defenses along the borders with Russia and Belarus, areas of increasing concern for Polish security officials.
The withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention has drawn attention to the humanitarian consequences of landmines. The treaty was established to address the widespread suffering caused by these weapons, which can remain active for years and pose a significant threat to civilians in conflict zones, as seen in countries like Cambodia, Angola, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk has stated that Poland is prepared to mine its border, referring to the effort as creating an “East Shield.” The government has not yet announced a specific timeline for the deployment of mines, but the exit from the treaty clears the way for immediate preparations.
As of Friday, February 20, 2026, the Polish government has not responded to requests for further details regarding the scope and location of the planned minefields.
