[matkoniecz]

> The Baltics withdrawing from the Ottawa treaty was an absolute disgrace. Indefensible.

It is entirely defensible on account of wanting to reduce risk of being invaded by Russia.

PS: Poland also exited the treaty. I entirely support use of mines on territory of mu country for purposes such as reducing risk of Russian invading Poland again. Though deployment should not be premature.

But I hope that production and stockpiling of enough mines is ongoing.

If you think that is indefensible - are you aware of how WW II went for Baltics, Poland, Belarus? In Poland about 16% of population was murdered, in Belarus about 20% of population was murdered. And Poland and Baltics got decades of occupation on top of that. Belarus still has not managed to get from Russia's boot as of 2026.

[wesselbindt]

The idea that all means, including war crimes, are warranted in defending one's territory is one that I cannot accept.

[matkoniecz]

And I have no problem with position "war crimes are not OK".

War crimes are bad, but using ATP land mines is not a war crime by itself.

For example ATP land mines with reliable self-destruction used properly are OK (yes, some failure rate will exist - in case of war you rarely have 100% sunshine and rainbows solutions).

While dropping randomly land mines over city to target civilians is bad, evil, war crime and terrorism.