Poland's Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, announced that the country will resume the production and use of land mines following the expiration of a six-month notice period to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention, which previously prohibited such actions. Tusk emphasized that this decision allows Poland to quickly deploy these weapons if necessary, underlining a growing concern for national security amid geopolitical tensions in the region.

As Tusk stated in an interview with Reuters, the Polish military would only need 48 hours to implement this deployment, which is part of a broader defense initiative called the Eastern Shield. The objective of this initiative is to bolster security on Poland's eastern border, particularly in light of perceived threats from Russia and Belarus. By potentially mining access points from these countries, Tusk argues that Poland can better protect its sovereignty and enhance the security of its citizens.

Additionally, Tusk highlighted that the quick deployment of mines will be supported by recent investments in the armaments sector, specifically mentioning a new system for deploying mines called Bluszcz (Ivy). This project is nearing completion and is deemed crucial for Poland’s safety in an increasingly volatile geopolitical climate. The recent policy shift has sparked controversy and debate regarding military preparedness, international obligations, and ethical implications of returning to land mines as part of military strategy.