A bunch of humanitarian groups went off on Ukraine for bailing on the Ottawa Convention, which is basically the international treaty that banned landmines back in the 90s. The organizations pointed out that the agreement does not let countries just hit pause on their commitments during wars, and Ukraine's trying to withdraw while fighting creates a sketchy loophole that could mess up protection rules everywhere else.
The convention specifically blocks countries from using, making, or stockpiling anti-personnel mines, and it has actually worked pretty well since its launch by cutting down global mine production and casualties. Human Rights Watch called the move a political stunt that ignores the actual ban on developing and using the weapons. Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, and Poland also dipped from the treaty, which has the UN secretary general worried about weakening civilian protections when conflicts keep expanding.
The convention specifically blocks countries from using, making, or stockpiling anti-personnel mines, and it has actually worked pretty well since its launch by cutting down global mine production and casualties. Human Rights Watch called the move a political stunt that ignores the actual ban on developing and using the weapons. Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, and Poland also dipped from the treaty, which has the UN secretary general worried about weakening civilian protections when conflicts keep expanding.
