Zelenskyy signs decree for Ukraine's withdrawal from anti-landmine treaty
KYIV: Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday signed a decree putting his war-torn country on track to leave the anti-landmine Ottawa Convention, according to a document published on his website.
The treaty bans signatories from acquiring, producing, stockpiling or using anti-personnel mines, which are designed to be buried or hidden on the ground.
They often leave victims mutilated if they are not immediately killed, and aid groups denounce the long-term risk of unexploded mines for civilians.
More than 160 countries and territories are signatories to the Ottawa Convention, though neither the United States nor Russia have joined.
'I hereby decree… to put into effect the decision of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine dated June 29, 2025 on Ukraine's withdrawal' from the landmark convention, Zelenskyy said.
At least six wounded in large-scale Russian air attack on Ukraine, Ukrainian authorities say
To enter into force, the decision still must be ratified by the Ukrainian parliament and notified to the United Nations.
Confronted with Russia's invasion, 'Ukraine is compelled to give unconditional priority to the security of its citizens and the defence of the state,' Ukraine's foreign ministry said in a statement.
It said the decision to withdraw was 'difficult but necessary' in order to 'protect our land from occupation, and our people from horrific Russian atrocities.'.
'This step has been demanded by the reality of war long ago,' a Ukrainian lawmaker, Roman Kostenko, said on social media.
'Russia… uses mines against our military and civilians on a massive scale. We cannot remain bound by conditions when the enemy has no restrictions,' he said.
The treaty withdrawal, more than three years into Moscow's invasion, follows similar decisions by Kyiv's allies Poland, Finland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia – all neighbours of Russia.
In March, human rights groups condemned their intention to pull out from the convention.
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Kyiv is seeking to shore up its support from Europe because of uncertainties over vital military aid under Trump. PHOTO: AFP Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday signed a decree putting his war-torn country on track to leave an international anti-landmine treaty, according to a document published on his website. The Ottawa Convention bans signatories from acquiring, producing, stockpiling or using anti-personnel mines, which are designed to be buried or hidden on the ground. They often leave victims mutilated if they are not immediately killed, and unexploded mines cause long-term risks for civilians. Russia "is extremely cynical in its use of anti-personnel mines," Zelensky said in his daily address. "This is the trademark of Russian killers — to destroy life by any means at their disposal," he added. More than 160 countries and territories are signatories to the Ottawa Convention, though neither the United States nor Russia have joined. To enter into force, the decision still must be ratified by the Ukrainian parliament and notified to the United Nations. The withdrawal would normally come into effect six months after the notification. But according to the convention itself, if "on the expiry of that six-month period, the withdrawing state party is engaged in an armed conflict, the withdrawal shall not take effect before the end of the armed conflict." Zelensky said Ukraine — more than three years into Moscow's invasion — was "aware of the complexities of the withdrawal procedure when it is carried out in wartime." "We are taking this political step and thus sending a signal to all our partners on what to focus on," he added. Confronted with the invasion, "Ukraine is compelled to give unconditional priority to the security of its citizens and the defence of the state," Ukraine's foreign ministry said in a statement.
