Lithuania is about to withdraw from the agreement banning cluster munitions

As part of a proposal from the Lithuanian Ministry of Defence, the Lithuanian government has approved the consideration of withdrawal from the Convention on Cluster Munitions.

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On Wednesday of this week, 3 June, the Lithuanian government approved a proposal by the Ministry of Defence to withdraw from the international agreement on cluster munitions. The declaration still needs to be approved by the parliament and the president. As the Lithuanian Ministry of Defence explained on its website, the reason for this is the deteriorating security situation and the direct threat to the country from Russia.

The so-called Oslo Convention of 2008 prohibits signatory states from producing, possessing, using and transferring cluster munitions with ten or more bombs, each weighing four kilograms or less. Submunitions weighing at least 20 kilograms each are also prohibited.

The Lithuanian Ministry of Defence noted that Russia did not sign this agreement and is actively using cluster munitions in Ukraine, which poses a threat to countries that have refused to use them.

In total, 124 states have signed the Convention, of which 112 have ratified it, including Lithuania. In addition to Russia, the United States, China, India, Israel, Poland and some post-Soviet countries, including Ukraine, Estonia and Latvia, have not signed.

The Lithuanian defence ministry explained the reason for the withdrawal: the munitions are one of the most effective means of defending large areas and reduce logistical efforts and costs by half compared to conventional ammunition.

In addition, Lithuania shares a border with Russia and is concerned about a possible Russian invasion of their country.

Source: Soldat und technik