⚠️ Ukraine Exits Landmine Treaty Amid Escalating Battlefield Pressures
DailyAlerts.online | Global Conflict | Eastern Europe
🇺🇦 Kyiv Withdraws from Landmark Landmine Ban Treaty
In a controversial but strategic shift, Ukraine has formally withdrawn from the 1997 Ottawa Convention, which bans the use, production, and stockpiling of anti-personnel landmines. The decision comes as Ukrainian forces continue to face overwhelming pressure in key combat zones during the ongoing war with Russia.
Ukraine's Ministry of Defense stated that the use of landmines is now considered “a necessary defensive measure” to slow Russian advances and protect critical infrastructure, especially in eastern regions such as Donetsk and Luhansk.
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| What is the Ottawa Treaty? |
📜 What is the Ottawa Treaty?
The Ottawa Convention, also known as the Mine Ban Treaty, is a global accord that prohibits:
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The use of anti-personnel landmines
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Stockpiling and production of such devices
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Transferring or selling landmines to other states or non-state actors
More than 160 countries, including most European nations, are party to the agreement.
🎯 Why Did Ukraine Withdraw?
According to officials in Kyiv, Ukraine's decision is rooted in the evolving realities of modern warfare:
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Increased Russian incursions into Ukrainian-held territory
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Defensive gaps across hundreds of kilometers of front lines
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Limited manpower and equipment, making static defenses critical
“We must prioritize national survival. This decision is not made lightly but from military necessity,”said Deputy Defense Minister Olena Havrylenko.
🌍 International Reaction
Ukraine’s move has drawn concern and disappointment from international human rights groups and treaty signatories:
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Amnesty International called the withdrawal “alarming” and warned of long-term humanitarian consequences.
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The European Union urged Kyiv to reconsider, highlighting the danger posed to civilians during and after the war.
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Russia, notably, has never been a signatory to the Ottawa Convention.
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| Humanitarian Impact & Risks |
⚠️ Humanitarian Impact & Risks
Landmines pose enduring dangers, even long after conflicts end:
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Civilians—especially children—are at risk of accidental detonation
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Agricultural and residential land becomes hazardous and often unusable
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Costly demanding operations can take decades
Despite these risks, Ukraine argues that Russia's own use of landmines justifies a tactical parity.
📌 What Comes Next?
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Ukrainian Armed Forces are expected to begin strategic deployment of defensive mines in active conflict zones
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Global NGOs are likely to increase pressure on NATO and UN to intervene diplomatically
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The UN General Assembly may debate the treaty implications later this year
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