Anti-personnel mines are a tool that very often has no alternative when a country’s armed forces are on a defensive.
This was emphasized by President Volodymyr Zelensky in an address to the nation on Sunday, Ukrinform reports.
The Head of State noted that today, June 29, he signed a decree putting into effect the decision of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine regarding the Ottawa Convention (on banning anti-personnel mines).
“Russia has never been a party to this convention and uses anti-personnel mines with extreme cynicism. And not just now, in its war against Ukraine – this has long been a trademark of Russian killers: to destroy life by every means available. They use chemical and ballistic weapons, including medium-range missiles, and various types of mines, including anti-personnel ones. Unfortunately, that is the reality,” Zelensky emphasized.
The President added: “Of course, we see how our neighbors in Europe are reacting to this threat. We are also aware of the complexities involved in withdrawing from such a convention, especially during wartime. But we are taking this political step and sending a signal by it to all our partners – this is where attention must be focused. This concerns all countries along Russia’s borders.”
The Head of State emphasized that “it is anti-personnel mines that very often have no alternative as a tool for defense.”
As Ukrinform reported earlier, President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday, June 29, signed Decree 441/2025, putting into effect the decision of the National Security and Defense Council on Ukraine’s withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention.
Source: Zelensky: In defense, anti-personnel mines often have no alternative
