© Helder Loureiro
Luxembourg has delivered 110 mine-clearing sets to Ukraine, with FM Bettel emphasising the critical need to address the deadly legacy of landmines in the ongoing war against Russian forces.
The Foreign Ministry on Monday announced in a press release that Luxembourg will send 110 mine-clearing sets to Ukraine in support of its continued fight against Russian invaders. During an official ceremony, Deputy PM Xavier Bettel handed over the defence equipment to Ukraine, represented by the Chargé d'Affaires of the Ukrainian Embassy in Luxembourg, Natalia Anoshyna.
Minister Bettel underlined the importance of giving Ukraine the ability to rid itself of mines, which he labelled the "nastiest" of war tools, designed to hurt and mutilate soldiers and civilians alike. The diplomat spoke of a recent trip to Laos and Vietnam, where 50-year-old mines still cause deaths and injuries to this day, and asserted that de-mining operations are essential to give people back a sense of normality and safety.
Bettel added that his greatest wish for the upcoming year is to see peace negotiations with an acceptable outcome for Ukraine.
Anoshyna explained that Ukraine is the country with the most mines on its territory at present, with at least 287 civilians killed and 641 injured since the beginning of the Russian invasion. Every day of fighting requires one month of mine clearing operations, according to the diplomat, who further expressed hopes that the tools provided by Luxembourg will help Ukraine launch another counter offensive.
