Estonia sends a clear message to Putin

Estonian President Alar Karis has just approved a decision taken by Parliament on 4th June and signed the Baltic country’s withdrawal from the Ottawa Treaty, which bans the use and storage of anti-personnel mines, following the example of its regional neighbours.

Mr Karis has signed into law a bill that received the backing of 81 MPs, with six voting against and one abstention. For the government, this broad parliamentary consensus sends a "clear signal" to Russia, which it accuses of being responsible for the security deterioration caused by its invasion of Ukraine.

Poland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania announced at the end of March their coordinated withdrawal from the convention banning anti-personnel mines. In May, Finland followed suit. All cited the specific circumstances of Europe’s eastern flank due to its proximity to Russia and the threats issued by the Kremlin.

(MH with FM - Source: El Periodico - Photo: © Unsplash)