Zelenskyy sends sharp warning to Russia's neighbors with landmine treaty withdrawal
Photo: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Getty Images)
Today, Ukraine decided to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention on the prohibition of anti-personnel landmines. This is a signal to all countries bordering Russia, says Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
"Today, I signed a decree implementing the decision of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council regarding the Ottawa Convention. This convention bans anti-personnel landmines. Russia has never been a party to this convention and cynically uses anti-personnel landmines. Not only now, during its war against Ukraine," the president said.
He emphasized that this is the trademark tactic of Russian killers — destroying lives by any means they have.
"Chemical weapons, ballistic missiles, including medium-range rockets, and various types of mines, including anti-personnel landmines. Unfortunately, yes. Of course, we see how our neighbors in Europe are reacting to this threat," he added.
At the same time, Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine understands the complexity of the withdrawal process, especially during wartime.
"We are taking this political step to send a clear signal to all our partners about where to focus. This concerns all countries along Russia's borders. Anti-personnel landmines are often the only tool available for defense," he explained.
As a reminder, today, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed the decree on Ukraine's withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention and ordered immediate measures to be taken.
It is worth noting that Ukraine is not the first country to abandon the Ottawa Convention due to threats from Russia. Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Finland have already made similar decisions.
Earlier today, Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs provided a detailed explanation of why Ukraine rejected the restrictions on mines.
