Latest news with #RomanKostenko
CBC
3 days ago
- Politics
- CBC
Ukraine on track to withdraw from Ottawa Convention banning anti-personnel mines
Social Sharing Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed a decree on the country's withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention, which bans the production and use of anti-personnel mines, the presidential website said on Sunday. Ukraine ratified the convention in 2005. "Support the proposal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine to withdraw Ukraine from the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction of September 18, 1997," the decree, published on Zelenskyy's website, stated. A senior Ukrainian lawmaker, Roman Kostenko, said that parliamentary approval is still needed to withdraw from the treaty. "This is a step that the reality of war has long demanded. Russia is not a party to this Convention and is massively using mines against our military and civilians," Kostenko, secretary of the Ukrainian parliament's committee on national security, defence and intelligence, said on his Facebook page. "We cannot remain tied down in an environment where the enemy has no restrictions," he added, saying that the legislative decision must definitively restore Ukraine's right to effectively defend its territory. Ukraine's foreign affairs ministry said in a statement posted to its website on Sunday that Russia's use of anti-personnel mines "has created an asymmetric advantage for the aggressor." "We emphasize that at the time of Ukraine's signing and ratification of the Ottawa Convention, such circumstances did not exist and could not have been foreseen," the statement said. In March, a joint statement from the defence ministers of Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia recommended withdrawing from the landmine ban, citing the rising threat from Russia and its ally Belarus as the reason. Russia has intensified its offensive operations in Ukraine in recent months, using significant superiority in manpower.
CNA
3 days ago
- Politics
- CNA
Zelenskyy signs decree for Ukraine's withdrawal from anti-landmine treaty
KYIV: Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday (Jun 29) 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. 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.
Globe and Mail
3 days ago
- Politics
- Globe and Mail
Zelensky signs decree to withdraw from treaty banning use of anti-personnel mines
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has signed a decree on the country's withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention, which bans the production and use of anti-personnel mines, the presidential website said on Sunday. Ukraine ratified the convention in 2005. 'Support the proposal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine to withdraw Ukraine from the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction of September 18, 1997,' the decree, published on Zelensky's website, stated. A senior Ukrainian lawmaker, Roman Kostenko, said parliamentary approval is still needed to withdraw from the treaty. 'This is a step that the reality of war has long demanded. Russia is not a party to this Convention and is massively using mines against our military and civilians,' Kostenko, secretary of the Ukrainian parliament's committee on national security, defence and intelligence, said on his Facebook page. 'We cannot remain tied down in an environment where the enemy has no restrictions,' he added, saying that the legislative decision must definitively restore Ukraine's right to effectively defend its territory. Russia has intensified its offensive operations in Ukraine in recent months, using significant superiority in manpower. Kostenko did not say when the issue would be debated in parliament.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
3 days ago
- Politics
- First Post
Zelenskyy set to pull Ukraine out of Ottawa Convention treaty: What is it?
More than 160 countries are parties to the treaty, including most Nato members and European states. Major powers like the United States, Russia, and China have not signed it read more President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday (June 29) signed a decree initiating Ukraine's withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention or the Mine Ban Treaty, citing the urgent demands of national defense amid Russia's ongoing invasion. Ukraine's foreign ministry said the decision was 'difficult but necessary,' describing it as a response to Russia's extensive use of landmines against both military personnel and civilians. '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. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Russia… uses mines against our military and civilians on a massive scale. We cannot remain bound by conditions when the enemy has no restrictions,' a Ukrainian lawmaker, Roman Kostenko, said on social media. What is the Ottawa Convention? The Ottawa Convention, formally known as the Mine Ban Treaty, is an international agreement that prohibits the use, stockpiling, production, and transfer of anti-personnel landmines. Signed in 1997, it aims to eliminate weapons that often remain lethal long after conflicts end. Mines banned under the treaty are designed to explode when triggered by the presence, proximity, or contact of a person, causing indiscriminate harm. More than 160 countries are parties to the treaty, including most Nato members and European states. Major powers like the United States, Russia, and China have not signed it. Human rights organisations have condemned plans by Ukraine and several of its allies to exit the treaty. Critics warn that such withdrawals could weaken a decades-long global consensus to limit weapons that disproportionately harm civilians. Kyiv's decision comes after similar moves or considerations by Poland, Finland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia — all of which share borders with Russia and cite heightened security threats as justification. Ukrainian lawmaker Roman Kostenko defended the move, saying, 'We cannot remain bound by conditions when the enemy has no restrictions.' With inputs from agencies
Deccan Herald
3 days ago
- Politics
- Deccan Herald
Ukraine on track to withdraw from Ottawa anti-personnel mines treaty, Zelenskyy decree shows
A senior Ukrainian lawmaker, Roman Kostenko, said that parliamentary approval is still needed to withdraw from the treaty.
