Lithuania withdraws from Convention on Cluster Munitions

Lithuania is withdrawing from the Convention on Cluster Munitions. The Seimas supported the relevant decree of President Nauseda.

The treaty prohibits the use, transfer and stockpiling of cluster munitions because of the risks that they, unexploded, carry for the civilian population. Lithuania joined the convention in 2011.

However, Vilnius has now changed its position and considers cluster munitions an effective means of combat that the Lithuanian army should use because, it is argued, a likely enemy would do so for sure. Procurement of such munitions seems to be in the near future.