Washington’s decision to supply anti-personnel mines to Ukraine has drawn sharp criticism, with signatories of the landmark Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention calling it a significant blow to the treaty’s principles. The announcement has triggered protests and concerns over the integrity of the 25-year-old agreement aimed at eradicating landmines globally.

Ukraine, a signatory to the convention, is prohibited from using, stockpiling, producing, or transferring landmines under the treaty’s terms. However, the United States, which has not ratified the treaty, announced last week that it would transfer landmines to aid Ukraine in its defense against Russia’s ongoing invasion. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the mines as “very important” for halting Russian advances.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the signatories of the convention declared that Ukraine’s acceptance of the mines would constitute a “direct violation” of the treaty. “In the 25 years since the Convention entered into force, this landmark humanitarian disarmament treaty had never faced such a challenge to its integrity,” the statement read, urging the global community to uphold the convention’s norms and principles.

During a conference in Siem Reap, Cambodia, held to assess progress under the treaty, Ukraine’s delegation avoided addressing the U.S. offer. Ukrainian defense official Oleksandr Riabtsev instead focused on accusing Russia of “genocidal activities” through the use of landmines. When questioned by journalists, Riabtsev declined to comment on the U.S. shipment.

Yevhenii Kivshyk, another Ukrainian defense ministry official, informed the conference that Ukraine’s commitment to destroy its stockpile of Soviet-era landmines was “currently not possible” due to the ongoing conflict.

The controversy unfolds amid intensified hostilities between Russia and Ukraine, with both nations escalating their use of advanced weaponry. Ukraine has recently deployed U.S.-supplied long-range missiles against Russian targets, while Moscow retaliated with an experimental hypersonic missile.

The Siem Reap conference saw demonstrations from landmine victims and activists, who condemned Washington’s decision. Over 100 protesters lined the entrance to the conference venue, demanding adherence to the treaty’s principles. The conference, held every five years, brings together signatories to evaluate progress toward a landmine-free world.

The U.S. decision has sparked fears of undermining decades of progress in humanitarian disarmament. Critics argue that this move sets a dangerous precedent, jeopardizing the treaty’s mission to protect civilians from the long-term devastation caused by landmines.

As the international community grapples with this development, calls to uphold the treaty’s integrity grow louder, underscoring the urgent need for unity in the face of evolving geopolitical challenges.