🗣️ German MP Roderich Kiesewetter of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) has called for Germany to temporarily withdraw from the Ottawa Convention banning anti‑personnel mines. He made these remarks in an interview with ZDF, as reported by DW.
Source: PRIAMYI
🪖 “I support a temporary exit from the Ottawa Treaty—until Russia begins to recognize the right of neighboring countries to exist,” said the politician.
🌍 Kiesewetter cited examples of countries that, under constant threat from Russia, have already abandoned compliance with the convention. He emphasized that anti‑personnel mines can quickly provide an advantage in combat and serve to deter the aggressor.
🔎 While Germany does not border Russia or Belarus, the MP referenced a German tank brigade stationed in Lithuania. He argued that in the event of a Russian attack, this brigade would be vulnerable due to a lack of effective deterrence.
📍 “Germany must ask itself whether we are becoming a target in Lithuania—and whether we are making ourselves vulnerable by lacking deterrent factors,” Kiesewetter concluded.