Zelensky asks allies for equipment to demine Ukraine

On 12 August, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said that Ukraine needs more demining equipment, as well as the ability to produce it itself.

Zelenskiy was commenting on an aid package announced by Azerbaijan earlier this week, which includes demining equipment, reports Radio Free Europe.

“Ukraine also needs equipment from partners and it is very important to create a production base in Ukraine so that we can clear our country of Russian mines,” Zelenskiy said.

He cited data on the prevalence of mines in Ukraine and said that Ukrainian experts “detect hundreds of explosive devices every day”.

Currently, he said, mines and unexploded ordnance are scattered over 174,000 square kilometres, or about 20 per cent of Ukraine.

“And the more demining devices we have, the more special demining drones we have, the more actively we will be able to restore security,” Zelenskiy said.

On 7 August, the Ukrainian Ministry of Economy announced that Ukrainian manufacturers had indicated that they were ready to produce demining equipment.

Earlier, Zelensky announced on social media that several European countries had joined the Group of Seven (G7) declaration in support of safeguards.

Last month, the G7 countries announced an international framework for long-term security guarantees for Ukraine to strengthen defences against Russia and deter future aggression by Moscow.

The framework includes elements including modern advanced military equipment, training, intelligence sharing and cyber defence, according to a joint statement, which the G7 said other countries could join.

In return, Ukraine would promise improved governance measures, including judicial and economic reforms and greater transparency.