Poland and three Baltic states announced their intention to quit a treaty banning antipersonnel mines to give their forces a critical defensive edge amid a "fundamental" deterioration in their security due to Russia.

In a joint statement, the defence ministers of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland said since signing the Ottawa Treaty, threats from Moscow and its ally Belarus have "significantly increased". It is "paramount" to give their troops "flexibility and freedom of choice" to defend Nato's eastern flank, they said.

Four European NATO members announced on Tuesday they will withdraw from the Mine Ban Treaty, marking the first time any country has left the agreement outlawing anti-personnel landmines since it was inked in Ottawa nearly three decades ago and prompting concerns about the treaty’s future.