Swathe of Ukraine contaminated with mines: Zelensky | ABS-CBN

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Swathe of Ukraine contaminated with mines: Zelensky

Swathe of Ukraine contaminated with mines: Zelensky

Agence France-Presse

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A booby trap found by locals near their home in Zalissya village not far from Brovary, Kyiv
A booby trap found by locals near their home in Zalissya village not far from Brovary, Kyiv's area, Ukraine, 12 April 2022. Some cities and villages had recently been recaptured by the Ukrainian army from Russian forces and now people try to restore normal life there. Russian troops entered Ukraine on 24 February resulting in fighting and destruction in the country and triggering a series of severe economic sanctions on Russia by Western countries. EPA-EFE/SERGEY DOLZHENKO

WELLINGTON, New Zealand - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday called for long-term help in clearing his war-ravaged nation of mines and other unexploded ordnance, which he said now cover an area roughly the size of Cambodia.

In a video address to New Zealand's parliament, Zelensky described Russia's nearly year-old invasion as an "ecocide" that would have lasting impact and implored Wellington and others to step up aid.

"As of now, 174,000 square kilometers (67,000 square miles) of Ukrainian territory are contaminated with mines and unexploded ordnance," Zelensky told lawmakers.

That is an area roughly the size of Cambodia, Syria or Uruguay.

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Zelensky urged New Zealand -- whose military has extensive experience in mine clearing -- to help lead the clean-up effort.

"There is no real peace for any child who can die from a hidden Russian antipersonnel mine," he said.

He added that both the Black Sea and the neighbouring Sea of Azov were also littered with mines "and have lost hundreds of thousands of living creatures, those who died as the result of the hostilities".

The Ukrainian leader has addressed dozens of foreign parliaments over the past 10 months, seeking to sustain and strengthen a global coalition in support of Ukraine's defense efforts.

New Zealand has so far supplied Kyiv with modest amounts of equipment and military training but has sent more than 100 personnel to Europe to give the Armed Forces of Ukraine advice on soldiering.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern indicated New Zealand would be willing to help with the cleanup effort and in rebuilding the country.

"I want to acknowledge your further calls for support, especially around the long-term impacts of war, including the long-term impact on the environment," Ardern said.

"We are with you as you seek peace, but we will also be with you as you rebuild."

New Zealand's government on Wednesday pledged a further US$2 million in humanitarian aid to help Ukraine through the winter.

It also highlighted sanctions imposed a day earlier on Iran, which has provided Russia with scores of drones that have attacked Ukrainian towns and infrastructure.

ryj-arb/cwl

© Agence France-Presse

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