Ukraine and several Baltic and Nordic states are withdrawing from the Ottawa Convention banning anti-personnel mines, citing security threats from Russia.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed a decree initiating the country’s withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention, which prohibits the production and use of anti-personnel mines, according to an announcement on the presidential website on Sunday.
Ukraine ratified the convention in 2005. The decree states: "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."
Roman Kostenko, secretary of the Ukrainian parliament's committee on national security, defence and intelligence, said parliamentary approval is still required to finalise the withdrawal.
"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 wrote on Facebook.
"We cannot remain tied down in an environment where the enemy has no restrictions," he added, stressing that Ukraine’s legislative decision would restore its right to effectively defend its territory.
Meanwhile, Lithuania has formally notified the United Nations of its decision to leave the treaty, Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said on X on Friday. Under treaty rules, Lithuania will no longer be bound by the convention six months after notification.
Parliaments of Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Finland and Poland – all NATO and EU members bordering Russia – have approved their countries’ withdrawal from the treaty, citing the increased military danger posed by their neighbour.
Russia has intensified its offensive operations in Ukraine in recent months, leveraging significant superiority in manpower.
Kostenko did not specify when the Ukrainian parliament would debate the withdrawal.
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Israel has told residents in northern Gaza to evacuate ahead of intensified military action, as U.S. President Donald Trump says a ceasefire deal with Hamas is being negotiated.
Russian courts have imposed detention measures on six Azerbaijanis in Yekaterinburg in connection with a case dating back to the early 2000s, amid reports of injuries and allegations of coerced confessions.
The government of Bangladesh has ordered tax and customs officials to immediately end a two-day nationwide strike that has paralysed tax operations, including customs services at the country’s key trade gateway, Chittagong Port.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has accused French President Macron and German Chancellor Merz of losing common sense over their stance on Russia, also calling Kyiv a "Nazi regime".
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Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal held talks with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez in Madrid on Sunday, focusing on enhanced military cooperation, joint defense production, and Ukraine’s bid to begin European Union accession talks.
Israel has told residents in northern Gaza to evacuate ahead of intensified military action, as U.S. President Donald Trump says a ceasefire deal with Hamas is being negotiated.
The government of Bangladesh has ordered tax and customs officials to immediately end a two-day nationwide strike that has paralysed tax operations, including customs services at the country’s key trade gateway, Chittagong Port.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has accused French President Macron and German Chancellor Merz of losing common sense over their stance on Russia, also calling Kyiv a "Nazi regime".
Blue Origin launched six passengers into space aboard New Shepard, completing an 11-minute sub-orbital flight that crossed the Kármán Line.
Israel has told residents in northern Gaza to evacuate ahead of intensified military action, as U.S. President Donald Trump says a ceasefire deal with Hamas is being negotiated.
Russian courts have imposed detention measures on six Azerbaijanis in Yekaterinburg in connection with a case dating back to the early 2000s, amid reports of injuries and allegations of coerced confessions.
The government of Bangladesh has ordered tax and customs officials to immediately end a two-day nationwide strike that has paralysed tax operations, including customs services at the country’s key trade gateway, Chittagong Port.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has accused French President Macron and German Chancellor Merz of losing common sense over their stance on Russia, also calling Kyiv a "Nazi regime".
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