UK's commitment to landmine ban ‘unwavering', says minister
LondoncTypeface:> Britain has pledged its 'unwavering' commitment to a ban on anti-personnel landmines despite a number of NATO allies moving to pull out of an agreement prohibiting their use over the threat posed by Russia.
Defence minister Vernon Coaker restated the UK's support for the Ottawa Convention as the government was pressed over whether it was considering following Poland, Finland, Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia in withdrawing from the treaty.
The move by the nations bordering Russia comes amid growing fears about their belligerent neighbour following the invasion of Ukraine. Moscow has used landmines in its deadly onslaught. Coaker said while the UK acknowledged the security concerns in the region and the right of countries to make this decision, it discouraged states from using anti-personnel landmines. (PA Media/dpa)
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