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.

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.

Former foreign affairs minister Lloyd Axworthy says Canada should work to convince eastern European countries alarmed by Russian aggression to abide by a treaty banning the use of anti-personnel landmines.