Lithuania withdraws from Cluster Munitions Convention, first EU nation to do so

Lithuania has officially withdrawn from the Convention on Cluster Munitions as of March 6, marking it as the first European Union country to leave this international arms regulation agreement, which aims to prohibit the use of cluster munitions due to their potential harm to civilians. The decision, supported by the Lithuanian parliament last July, is driven by concerns over regional security and the need to strengthen defense capabilities amid threats from Russia. Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovilė Šakalienė indicated that the withdrawal also serves as a strategic message of readiness to use necessary military means for defense. Furthermore, Lithuania is contemplating exiting the Ottawa Convention, which bans anti-personnel mines, as part of its broader strategy to enhance military preparedness. This move comes in a context where both Russia and Ukraine have employed cluster munitions in their ongoing conflict, emphasizing the shifting dynamics in arms control agreements. Lithuania's exit reflects a growing skepticism towards international arms treaties in the current geopolitical climate.