Ukraine has adhered to the provisions of the Ottawa Convention for 20 years. However, Russia’s large-scale use of anti-personnel mines—despite not being a signatory to the treaty—has created an asymmetric advantage on the battlefield.
This was stated in a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine regarding the country’s decision to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention, as reported by Ukrinform.
The MFA noted that in 2005, Ukraine ratified the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and Their Destruction, commonly known as the Ottawa Convention, and since then has faithfully fulfilled its obligations.
“At the same time, the Russian Federation, not being a party to the Ottawa Convention, launched an armed aggression against Ukraine and, since 2014, has extensively used anti-personnel mines as a method of warfare. Since 2022, when Russia began its full-scale invasion of our state, its mass use of such means has created an asymmetric advantage for the aggressor,” the statement said.
The MFA stressed 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.
“As a result, Ukraine has found itself in an unequal and unjust situation that restricts its right to self-defense as enshrined in Article 51 of the United Nations Charter,” the document said.
At the same time, the MFA recalled that Ukraine is not alone in facing the difficult choice between fulfilling obligations under the Ottawa Convention and ensuring the effective defense of its Homeland from a ruthless aggressor that disregards all norms of international law.
“Therefore, in light of the overriding priority to defend our states from brutal Russian aggression, to protect our land from occupation, and our people from horrific Russian atrocities, Ukraine has made the difficult but necessary political decision to stop the implementation of irrelevant obligations under the Ottawa Convention. We are convinced that this step is both necessary and proportionate to the level of threats, as it concerns the survival and preservation of Ukraine as a sovereign, independent, and free state,” the MFA emphasized.
The MFA also stressed that in the context of Russia’s ongoing genocide aimed at destroying Ukraine as a state and Ukrainians as a nation, Ukraine is compelled to give unconditional priority to the security of its citizens and the defense of the state. This applies, in particular, to Ukraine’s participation in international legal instruments and mechanisms.
As reported by Ukrinform, President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree enacting the decision of the National Security and Defense Council on Ukraine’s withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention.
Source: MFA explains Ukraine's decision to withdraw from Ottawa Convention
