France, Feb. 23 -- Polandon Friday formally withdrew from the Ottawa Treaty, an international convention that bans anti-personnel landmines, paving the way for their deployment along its eastern borders.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said the country aimed to be able to mine its borders within 48 hours in the event of a threat.

Poland plans to deploy the devices to fortifythe roughly 800 kilometres of border it shares with Russia and Belarus. The move is aimed at protecting Europe and NATO from a potential invasion on the alliance's eastern flank.

Germany to send soldiers to fortify Poland border Sixth country to withdraw

The Polish government has indicated it wants to produce its own landmines.

"The situation forces us to act," ...