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Poland’s Prime Minister has announced his support for withdrawing the country from international treaties banning anti-personnel mines and cluster munitions.
Some shit you should know before you read: Since Russia invaded Ukraine, Poland has significantly ramped up its military capabilities, investing billions of dollars in new defense equipment to prepare for any potential threats. Over the last few years, the country has purchased K2 Black Panther tanks, HIMARS rocket systems, Abrams tanks, Apache attack helicopters, and cutting-edge F-35 fighter jets as part of a massive rearmament program. Polish leaders have repeatedly warned that if Ukraine falls, Poland could be Russia’s next target, citing historical tensions and recent rhetoric from Russian officials. Dmitry Medvedev, Russia’s former president and current deputy chairman of the Security Council, has made aggressive statements suggesting that Russia will take Poland next. Despite this, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has dismissed the concerns raised by Poland, insisting that Russia has no plans to invade Poland.
What’s going on now: While speaking before the Polish parliament, Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced his support for withdrawing Poland from the Ottawa Convention and possibly the Dublin Convention, citing national security concerns amid growing tensions with Russia. The Ottawa Convention (1997) bans the use, production, stockpiling, and transfer of anti-personnel mines, while the Dublin Convention (2008) prohibits cluster munitions, which pose long-term risks to civilians due to unexploded ordnance. Tusk acknowledged that this move is controversial but argued that Poland must prioritize its own security, noting that Russia and other adversaries continue to use these weapons.
He insisted that Poland cannot afford to follow treaties that weaken its defensive capabilities when neighboring countries, like Lithuania and Finland, are also reconsidering their participation in such agreements.
Beyond conventional weaponry, Poland has also floated the idea of a nuclear deterrent, signaling a major shift in its defense posture. Tusk stated that Poland must explore “the most modern possibilities, including nuclear weapons and unconventional defense systems,” hinting at a potential push for either hosting NATO nuclear weapons or developing its own capabilities.
This all comes as human rights organizations and arms control advocates strongly condemn Poland’s potential withdrawal from the Ottawa and Dublin Conventions, warning of the humanitarian consequences. Amnesty International called the move “disastrous,” while Human Rights Watch described it as “alarming.” The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) also criticized the decision, stating that it “weakens vital protections for civilians” and could lead to increased suffering in conflict zones.
