The Canadian government announced that Ukraine and five other countries have officially decided to withdraw from the historic Ottawa Treaty that prohibits the production and use of landmines, which Canada played a leading role in establishing in 1997.

According to a report published by CTV News, the withdrawal includes Ukraine, Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, and Georgia. The governments of these countries cited increasing security threats at their borders, especially in the context of the Russian war on Ukraine, as the main reason for reconsidering their full commitment to the treaty.

A spokesperson for the Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that this step is "extremely regrettable," adding that the treaty has contributed for decades to saving lives and reducing civilian suffering around the world.

The Ottawa Convention imposes a comprehensive ban on the manufacturing, storage, transfer, and use of anti-personnel mines, and obligates countries to destroy their stockpiles of these mines. To date, more than 160 countries have joined the treaty.

International organizations concerned with mine clearance, including the "International Campaign to Ban Landmines," expressed their concern that the withdrawal of these countries may pave the way for a resurgence in the widespread use of these weapons.

This development comes as military confrontations continue in Ukraine and tensions with Russia escalate, raising renewed questions about the ability of international agreements to withstand prolonged conflicts and border disputes.