Ukraine is actively looking for opportunities to strengthen its humanitarian demining capabilities. This week, a number of talks have taken place with representatives of countries that are world leaders in demining, have modern technologies and produce relevant equipment.

On 5 May, First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine – Minister of Economy of Ukraine Yuliia Svyrydenko met with Minister of Defence of the Slovak Republic Jaroslav Naď. Also on this day, Yuliia Svyrydenko had an online meeting with representatives of the Government of the Swiss Confederation. 

First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine – Minister of Economy of Ukraine Yuliia Svyrydenko outlined the extent of potential pollution of the Ukrainian territory, including the pollution of valuable agricultural land. The First Deputy Prime Minister also described the comprehensive measures that Ukraine is taking to bring agricultural land back into use as soon as possible as well as to survey, clean up and demine the liberated territories.

The key topics of discussion were Ukraine’s needs for international assistance, namely financial, technical, expert and training assistance for additional units of Ukrainian deminers.

“Ukraine needs demining machines, vehicles for transporting explosive ordnance and personnel. We also need financial assistance from the international community. Our goal is to accelerate the demining of our land, which provides jobs for Ukrainians and is an important component of food security around the world. Clearing the territory of Ukraine of mines and unexploded ordnance is one of our top priorities,” said Yuliia Svyrydenko.

As a reminder, First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine – Minister of Economy of Ukraine Yuliia Svyrydenko had an online meeting concerning demining with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior of the Republic of Croatia Davor Božinović. In addition, during a working meeting with Ukraine’s ambassadors in more than twenty countries, the issues of finding and engaging demining equipment and advanced technologies in Ukraine were discussed.