POLAND EXITS LANDMINE TREATY — WILL MINE EASTERN BORDER 🛡️🇵🇱
In a historic and controversial move, Poland has officially withdrawn from the Ottawa Convention — the international treaty banning anti-personnel mines — effective February 20, 2026.
💣 WHAT HAPPENED
Poland became the first NATO country to leave the Ottawa Convention, citing the growing military threat from Russia. The decision means Poland can now legally produce, stockpile, and deploy both anti-personnel and anti-tank land mines.
🤖 THE BLUSZCZ SYSTEM
Prime Minister Donald Tusk personally unveiled 'Bluszcz' (Ivy) — a cutting-edge unmanned mine-laying vehicle developed by Polish company Belma S.A. and a military research institute.
Key capabilities
• Can mine Poland's entire eastern border within 48 hours
• Autonomous operation — no crew needed
• Designed for stealth deployment
• Compatible with both anti-personnel and anti-tank mines
🏰 EASTERN SHIELD
The mines are part of Poland's massive 'Eastern Shield' (Tarcza Wschodu) — a system of fortifications being built along the borders with Belarus and Russia since 2024. Poland would only deploy mines "when there is a realistic threat of Russian aggression," according to Deputy Defense Minister Cezary Tomczyk.
🌍 INTERNATIONAL REACTION
• Russia's Foreign Ministry warned of a "domino effect"
• Human rights organizations criticized the move
• Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania also left the treaty in 2025
• Poland argues it's a defensive measure, not offensive
📊 POLAND'S DEFENSE BY THE NUMBERS
• Defense budget: €47 billion (4.8% of GDP) — highest in NATO
• Target army size: 300,000 soldiers
• EU allocated €44 billion to Poland for defense — largest share
• 'Eastern Shield' fortification spans hundreds of kilometers
🇵🇱 FOR POLONIA
Poland's decision reflects the seriousness of security threats on Europe's eastern flank. For Polish-Americans with family in Poland, this is a reminder that Poland is taking unprecedented steps to ensure the homeland's safety. While controversial, the move has broad support among Poles who remember history's lessons about being unprepared.
Sources: NBC News, Euronews, CBC News, AP
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