Ukraine Withdraws from Ottawa Treaty to Reinforce Frontlines, Sparking International Criticism July 7, 2025

[ad_1]
📰 Ukraine Withdraws from Ottawa Treaty to Reinforce Frontlines, Sparking International Criticism
🗓️ July 7, 2025
📍Kyiv

Ukraine has officially withdrawn from the Ottawa Treaty, which bans the use of anti-personnel landmines, citing the need to “respond to the realities of war and reinforce national defense along vulnerable borders.” The move has triggered widespread criticism from human rights organizations and the international community over the potential threat to civilians and long-term humanitarian consequences.

The Ottawa Treaty—also known as the Mine Ban Treaty—aims to eliminate the use of landmines due to their indiscriminate nature and devastating impact long after conflicts end. Ukraine, a signatory since 2006, now argues that the protracted conflict and increasing pressure on the frontlines demand a strategic shift away from the treaty’s restrictions.

Rights advocates voiced alarm, warning that the use of anti-personnel mines could endanger civilians for years after the war.
“Landmines are silent killers that steal lives and futures, even in times of peace,” a human rights activist stated.

Ukraine’s government defended its decision as a necessary wartime measure and pledged to implement safeguards to minimize harm to civilian populations.

Analysts view the move as a signal of the intense pressure Ukraine faces on the battlefield and the difficult trade-offs between military necessity and international humanitarian obligations.

The deployment of landmines could significantly increase long-term risks to civilians in frontline areas. Ukraine’s decision may also impact future military and humanitarian aid, as donor nations reassess conditions for support based on human rights compliance.

📍Reported from Kyiv, Ukraine – World News War Correspondence Desk

,UkraineWar ,Landmines ,OttawaTreaty ,HumanRights ,MilitaryStrategy ,InternationalLaw ,WorldNews

---