Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has signed a decree withdrawing the country from the Ottawa Convention, which bans the production and use of anti-personnel mines.
Ukraine ratified the convention in 2005, KosovaPress reports.
"Support the proposal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine on Ukraine's withdrawal from the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction of September 18, 1997," the decree published on Zelensky's website reads.
Ukrainian High Representative Roman Kostenko stated that parliamentary approval is still needed to withdraw from the agreement.
"This is a step that the realities of war have long demanded. Russia is not a party to this Convention and is massively using mines against our soldiers and civilians," Kostenko, secretary of the parliamentary committee on national security, defense and intelligence, said on his Facebook page.
"We cannot remain coerced into an environment where the enemy has no limits," he added, stressing that the legislative decision should finally restore Ukraine's right to effectively defend its territory.
Russia has stepped up offensive operations in Ukraine in recent months, using a significant numerical superiority. Kostenko did not say when the issue would be discussed in parliament. (A2 Televizion)
A2 CNN Livestream
MUND TE LEXONI GJITHASHTU
