‘Ukraine should be mine-free by 2033’ - PM at on mine action conference

The prime minister announced this on Telegram.

According to him, about a quarter of Ukraine's territory - about 140,000 square metres - is currently potentially contaminated with mines and ammunition.

‘Our main ambitious goal is to survey the vast majority of potentially mined territory by 2033, and make Ukraine mine-free,’ Shmyhal said.

He added that in order to achieve this goal, a number of key tasks need to be completed, including

• create a full-fledged mine action management system;
• form a long-term international coalition for demining Ukraine;
• expand the production of demining machines, as well as the use of innovative methods and technologies;
• raise public awareness of mined areas and inform people about the risks.

‘We have important achievements in each of these areas,’ Shmyhal said.

• Earlier, Ukraine's Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said that approximately 60 countries and international organisations had confirmed their participation in the conference on mine action in Ukraine to be held on 17-18 October in Lausanne, Switzerland.