European Nations Re-evaluate Landmine Bans Amid Security Shifts

European countries are reconsidering the use of effective anti-personnel landmines in response to the security environment created by the Russia-Ukraine war. The debate emerges years after such weapons were prohibited under the 1997 Ottawa Treaty and international humanitarian law. Some nations argue that landmines should be viewed as defensive tools, citing the need for deterrence and border security. Conversely, human rights and arms control advocates warn that landmines pose long-term risks to civilians and that returning to their use would represent a moral regression. The discussion centers on the balance between short-term security expectations for border defense and long-term humanitarian costs. This shift reflects a change in the security framework established in Europe following the Cold War. The issue directly impacts the defense strategies of NATO member states and the future of international arms control regimes.