THE HAGUE, Netherlands \u2014 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree on June 29 initiating his country\u2019s withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention, the international treaty banning anti-personnel landmines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 1997 Ottawa Convention prohibits the use, production, stockpiling and transfer of anti-personnel mines, weapons designed to be buried or hidden underground that often maim or kill victims long after conflicts end. More than 160 countries have signed the treaty, although notably neither the United States nor Russia is a party to the agreement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUkraine is compelled to give unconditional priority to the security of its citizens and the defence of the state,\u201d Ukraine\u2019s foreign ministry said in a statement<\/a>, calling the decision \u201cdifficult but necessary\u201d to protect against \u201chorrific Russian atrocities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t