Germany Expresses ‘Regrets’ Over Kiev’s Choice Regarding US-Supplied Landmines
Berlin has expressed that it is “regrettable” that Kiev has decided to use anti-personnel landmines, which is in violation of its international commitments. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
The White House is preparing to send anti-personnel landmines to Ukraine, as multiple news outlets reported this week.
The German Foreign Ministry has voiced its disapproval regarding Ukraine’s choice to utilize these landmines in its ongoing conflict with Russia. These mines are prohibited under the 1997 Ottawa Convention, and reports indicate that they were offered to Ukraine by the U.S. this week.
During a press briefing on Friday, deputy spokesman for the foreign ministry Christian Wagner initially focused on Russia’s use of landmines, accusing the Russian military of employing the weapons at a “massive scale,” when questioned about Ukraine’s use of them.
However, after being pressed further and reminded that Russia is not a signatory to the Ottawa Convention while Ukraine is, Wagner expressed that Berlin regretted Ukraine’s decision. “It is also regrettable that Ukraine feels compelled to take such a step,” he stated.
Wagner also reiterated that Germany is committed to the treaty. He did not specify if Berlin intends to communicate its stance to Ukraine.
More than 160 countries have ratified the 1997 Ottawa Treaty, which prohibits the production and transfer of anti-personnel mines. As a signatory, Ukraine’s acceptance and use of U.S. weapons could violate its international treaty obligations.
Washington's choice to provide the Ukrainian military with anti-personnel landmines has drawn criticism from various Western human rights organizations. Hichem Khadhraoui, executive director of the Center for Civilians in Conflict, remarked to PMG that such devices pose a significant risk to civilians long after a conflict concludes.
Ben Linden, a senior official at Amnesty International USA, referred to the U.S. decision as “devastating” and “shocking.” This action arrives amid Moscow’s advancing military successes in Donbass, the Kursk Region, and other areas of Ukraine.
This is not the first occasion the Biden administration has supplied Ukraine with weapons banned by international agreements. In 2023, the U.S. provided Ukraine with cluster munitions, which are banned by over 110 nations under the 2008 UN Convention on Cluster Munitions due to the severe risks they pose to civilian populations.
Washington faced backlash from the UK, Canada, Germany, and several other NATO and non-NATO countries regarding that decision.
Frederick R Cook for TROIB News
The German Foreign Ministry has voiced its disapproval regarding Ukraine’s choice to utilize these landmines in its ongoing conflict with Russia. These mines are prohibited under the 1997 Ottawa Convention, and reports indicate that they were offered to Ukraine by the U.S. this week.
During a press briefing on Friday, deputy spokesman for the foreign ministry Christian Wagner initially focused on Russia’s use of landmines, accusing the Russian military of employing the weapons at a “massive scale,” when questioned about Ukraine’s use of them.
However, after being pressed further and reminded that Russia is not a signatory to the Ottawa Convention while Ukraine is, Wagner expressed that Berlin regretted Ukraine’s decision. “It is also regrettable that Ukraine feels compelled to take such a step,” he stated.
Wagner also reiterated that Germany is committed to the treaty. He did not specify if Berlin intends to communicate its stance to Ukraine.
More than 160 countries have ratified the 1997 Ottawa Treaty, which prohibits the production and transfer of anti-personnel mines. As a signatory, Ukraine’s acceptance and use of U.S. weapons could violate its international treaty obligations.
Washington's choice to provide the Ukrainian military with anti-personnel landmines has drawn criticism from various Western human rights organizations. Hichem Khadhraoui, executive director of the Center for Civilians in Conflict, remarked to PMG that such devices pose a significant risk to civilians long after a conflict concludes.
Ben Linden, a senior official at Amnesty International USA, referred to the U.S. decision as “devastating” and “shocking.” This action arrives amid Moscow’s advancing military successes in Donbass, the Kursk Region, and other areas of Ukraine.
This is not the first occasion the Biden administration has supplied Ukraine with weapons banned by international agreements. In 2023, the U.S. provided Ukraine with cluster munitions, which are banned by over 110 nations under the 2008 UN Convention on Cluster Munitions due to the severe risks they pose to civilian populations.
Washington faced backlash from the UK, Canada, Germany, and several other NATO and non-NATO countries regarding that decision.
Frederick R Cook for TROIB News
