A growing chorus of voices within Germany is calling for a critical reassessment of the nation’s adherence to the Ottawa Convention, the international treaty banning landmines. The debate, spearheaded by CDU defense policy expert Bastian Ernst and military historian Sönke Neitzel, centers on the evolving security landscape posed by Russia’s aggression and the potential vulnerability of NATO’s eastern flank.
Ernst, in remarks published by “Welt” acknowledged the politically sensitive nature of the discussion, stating that it offers little prospect of electoral gains or prestigious awards. However, he emphasized the paramount duty of ensuring Germany and its allies possess credible deterrence capabilities. He highlighted the perspective of many Baltic and Scandinavian partners, who view landmines and obstacle systems as indispensable components of a robust defense posture.
This German reconsideration comes as several nations, including Finland, Poland and the Baltic states, have initiated withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention. These countries cite the need to bolster their defenses against potential Russian incursions.
Neitzel cautioned against dismissing the potential repercussions of abandoning the treaty, recognizing the inevitable reputational damage and international criticism. He posed a stark question: “We can adhere strictly to the convention, refrain from producing or exporting mines and fail to adequately protect our troops – and risk losing a war. Is that our objective?” He argued that the current German discourse often overlooks the harsh realities of military necessity.
Drawing parallels to the protracted and ultimately detrimental debate surrounding the deployment of armed drones – specifically, the delayed acquisition of Heron drones which left Germany lagging behind other nations in capabilities – Neitzel warned against prioritizing moral considerations over strategic imperatives. He criticized the tendency to engage in discussions divorced from the practicalities of modern warfare, ultimately leading to a dangerous gap in military readiness.
Adding a layer of industrial urgency to the argument, Ernst advocated for the rebuilding of German industrial capacity for landmine production. He cautioned against excessive reliance on either the Baltic states or the United States for these critical defensive systems. “We may not deploy these systems within Germany initially” Ernst conceded, “but we must be prepared to supply our partners and to integrate these capabilities strategically within our own armed forces, ensuring we’re not forced to improvise in a conflict scenario, for example, in Lithuania.
The emerging reassessment signals a potential shift in Germany’s defense policy, grappling with the tension between international commitments and the increasingly urgent need to bolster security in a volatile geopolitical landscape.