The Verkhovna Rada suspended the effect of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention for Ukraine
On July 15, 2025, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine at a plenary session adopted the Law on the suspension of the effect of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction for Ukraine (reg. No. 0329).
The purpose of the law is to implement the domestic procedure required to suspend the effect of the Ottawa Convention for Ukraine, which entered into force for Ukraine on June 19, 2005.
This decision is caused by a fundamental change in circumstances — the full-scale armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine. It is necessary to provide the Defence Forces of Ukraine with additional means to protect the state, including the possibility of using anti-personnel mines.
The Russian Federation is not a party to the 1997 Convention, which creates unequal conditions for the use of means of defense. Ukraine has found itself at a disadvantage, as the Russian army actively uses mines in combat operations.
The Ottawa Convention (1997) prohibits the use, stockpiling, production, and transfer of anti-personnel mines. Ukraine joined it in 2005, destroyed part of its stockpiles, and undertook obligations not to manufacture or use such mines.
Ukraine emphasizes that this decision is a forced step dictated by military necessity and assures its commitment to international humanitarian law. The use of such means will be exclusively for the defense of the state.
After the adoption of the law, Ukraine will inform international partners about the suspension of the Convention’s effect for our country.
