President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced in his daily address that he had signed a decree enacting the decision of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention on the Prohibition of Anti-Personnel Mines. He stressed that Russia has never been a party to this convention and cynically uses anti-personnel mines as one of its main means of warfare. According to the president, this step by Ukraine is an important political signal to partners and neighbours about the need to strengthen defence.
In addition, Zelenskyy announced the full synchronisation of the 13th and 14th EU sanctions packages with Ukrainian restrictions against Russia, as well as a draft of sanctions against Iran concerning both military production and internal repression. He stressed that sanctions remain one of the key tools for limiting Russia’s ability to continue the war against Ukraine.
The president also confirmed that he had posthumously awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine to pilot Maksym Ustymenko, who was killed while repelling a massive Russian attack last night.