Ukraine’s exit from Ottawa Convention paves way for domestic production of anti-personnel mines

Fedir Venislavskyi, a member of the Verkhovna Rada Defense Committee, said this, according to Ukrinform.

The MP noted that there is no need to change national legislation for this—"it will be enough to terminate and denounce the Ottawa Convention so that Ukrainian manufacturers, both state and private, have the opportunity to produce these means of destruction."

According to Venislavskyi, preparations for such production are already underway.

"As of today, preparations for such production activities are quite active. I think we will be able to quickly establish and put into service these means of deterring enemy infantry," the politician said.

In addition, after leaving the convention, Ukraine will be able to purchase mines from countries that are also not parties to it. In the deputy's opinion, this will strengthen the country's defense capability.

For reference: The Ottawa Convention (the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction) is an international agreement that prohibits:

• the use of anti-personnel mines,

• the production and transfer of such mines,

• the stockpiling of their reserves (except for a limited quantity for training purposes).

It also obliges member states to destroy their mine stockpiles and to clear areas where mines have been used.

It was signed in 1997 in Ottawa, which is why it has this name. It entered into force in 1999. As of today, more than 160 countries have ratified the convention. However, neither Russia nor the United States are among the signatories.

This year, Poland, Finland, and the Baltic countries have decided to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention.