Lithuania, driven by Russian security threats, has become the first EU member to exit the 2008 Cluster Munitions Convention. The decision, following a July 2024 parliamentary vote and a six‐month waiting period, enables the Baltic nation to enhance its defense by retaining cluster munitions for effective deterrence against large-area targets.
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Lithuania's Withdrawal from International Arms Control Treaties.
Lithuania, a Baltic nation of 2.8 million people and former Soviet republic, officially withdrew from the Convention on Cluster Munitions.
This decision follows growing security concerns over neighboring Russia, in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. As a NATO member, Lithuania has been strengthening its defense capabilities in response to perceived Russian threats.
The Lithuanian Parliament voted to leave the cluster munitions convention in July 2024, initiating a six-month waiting period before the withdrawal took full effect.
This makes Lithuania the first country to withdraw from the 2008 convention and the first European Union member to leave a multilateral arms regulation agreement.
The CCM is a treaty adopted in Dublin on May 30, 2008, and entered into force on August 1, 2010, after 30 states ratified it.
The treaty prohibits the use, production, stockpiling, and transfer of cluster munitions, which are weapons that scatter explosive submunitions (also known as "bomblets") over a wide area.
It aims to reduce the humanitarian impact of cluster munitions, which can cause indiscriminate casualties and long-term contamination of areas with unexploded submunitions.
Types of Cluster Munitions
India has acknowledged humanitarian concerns over the “irresponsible use” of cluster munitions, but regards them as “legitimate” weapons if used in accordance with international humanitarian law. India did not participate in the Oslo Process that created the Convention on Cluster Munitions.
Lithuania's decision to withdraw from the convention is driven by its assessment of the security environment in the region.
The Deputy Defence Minister stated that the withdrawal allows Lithuania to increase the effectiveness of its defense against large-area targets. The government believes that possessing and knowing how to use cluster munitions provides the most effective deterrence and defense against potential Russian aggression.
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PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Which of the following countries does not share a land border with Lithuania? A) Latvia B) Belarus C) Estonia D) Poland Answer: C Explanation: Estonia is located to the north of Latvia and therefore does not directly border Lithuania. |
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