Kathrine Frich
Finland has also floated plans to abandon the agreement.
Finland has also floated plans to abandon the agreement.
Ukraine Pulls Out of Global Landmine Ban Treaty
President Volodymyr Zelensky has signed a decree officially withdrawing Ukraine from the Ottawa Convention, the global treaty banning anti-personnel landmines.
Officials say the decision reflects the grim realities of modern warfare against Russia.
“Difficult but Necessary”: Leaders Back Decision
Ukrainian authorities, including Lviv Mayor Andrii Sadovyi and Colonel Roman Kostenko of the Security Service (SBU), confirmed the move.
Both described the withdrawal as “difficult but necessary,” with Sadovyi stressing the urgent need to defend Ukrainian cities and soldiers from relentless Russian assaults.
Ukraine Joins Other European Opt-Outs
Ukraine now joins a growing list of European countries rethinking the treaty, including Poland, Latvia, Estonia, and Finland.
Finland, which shares a long border with Russia, has also floated plans to abandon the agreement, citing similar security concerns.
Russia Never Signed the Treaty
Unlike Ukraine, Russia never signed the Ottawa Convention and has openly used landmines throughout the conflict.
The U.S. has also not signed the treaty, although it has recently limited its mine use.
In 2024, Washington approved shipments of landmines to Ukraine, citing Russia’s shift to using infantry forces.
What Is the Ottawa Convention?
The Ottawa Convention, signed by more than 160 nations, bans the production, stockpiling, and use of anti-personnel landmines.
It also requires the destruction of existing stockpiles.
Ukraine had previously committed to the treaty, clearing significant areas before this war changed the calculus.
Finland’s Historic U-Turn
Finland, the last EU country to ratify the treaty, destroyed over a million landmines in its commitment to the agreement.
But after joining NATO in 2023 and facing growing threats from Russia, Helsinki has reconsidered, pointing to Russia’s mine use as justification.
The Perils of Anti-Personnel Mines
Anti-personnel mines are silent killers.
Buried underground, they detonate when triggered by a footstep, claiming lives or limbs long after battles end.
The danger they pose to civilians is one of the reasons behind the global push to ban them.
Ukraine: One of the Most Mined Countries on Earth
The United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) has labeled Ukraine one of the world’s most heavily mined countries.
Mines not only threaten civilians but also block farming and rebuilding efforts, making recovery from war even more dangerous and slow.
35,000 Square Kilometres Cleared
Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal revealed in April that Ukraine has already cleared over 35,000 square kilometers of mine-riddled land, including vital agricultural zones.
Still, over 174,000 square kilometers remain affected, making mine clearance a top priority.
