Budrys: Russia deliberately uses mines as weapons of terror
On 22 October, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Kęstutis Budrys, participated in the Ukraine Mine Action Conference 2025 in Tokyo, Japan.
"Russia deliberately uses mines as weapons of terror. Their aim is to prevent Ukrainians from returning home, to stop them from working the land, as well as to block Ukraine’s reconstruction and reconstruction efforts. Russia’s actions are not only illegal, they are inhumane. This is not only a problem for Ukraine – it is a test for the international community whether it will be able to act together against Russia's blatant violations of international law," the Minister said at the conference.
Budrys emphasized that Ukraine is currently the most mine-polluted country in the world. According to the minister, demining can take years, perhaps decades, but it is necessary for Ukraine's recovery.
According to Budrys, Lithuania and Iceland co-lead the Demining Capability Coalition for Ukraine, which provides Ukraine with modern mine detection tools and training of specialists, strengthening Ukraine's capacity to safely clear its territory. The coalition currently includes 23 countries and has mobilized around 110 million euros in support.
The international Ukraine Mine Action Conference is held for the third time. The first took place in Switzerland, followed by the second in Croatia. This is the most important high-level annual event that mobilises international support and coordinates efforts for demining Ukraine. The conference brings together representatives from more than 60 countries and international organisations.
On the margins of the conference, the Minister met with the Minister of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture of Ukraine, Oleksii Sobolev, to discuss the partnership between Lithuania and Ukraine.
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