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The 11th meeting of the Demining Capability Coalition for Ukraine takes place in a Vilnius

Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of National Defence

2025-02-20
International cooperation

Representatives of the 22 nations that currently form the Demining Capability Coalition a year ago established and now co-coordinated by Lithuania and Iceland met in Vilnius for the 11th time. A year ago, the Coalition Partners met for the first time on January 11.

Gathering in Vilnius today, members of the Demining Capability Coalition for Ukraine discussed the nations' commitment to render aid to Ukraine in 2025-2026 and 2027-2030. The areas of assistance discussed included financing or dedicating equipment, procurements and training assistance.

"The necessity for demining in Ukraine is only building, 15 countries have sent 40 representatives to Vilnius today not by accident. This is a demonstration of our unity and state of mind to respond to urgent needs in support of Ukraine's long-term demining capability development," said Defence Policy Director of the Ministry of National Defence Vaidotas Urbelis.

The mission of the Demining Capability Coalition is to provide equipment procurement and training assistance to the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces of Ukraine in developing humanitarian and military demining capabilities. The Coalition is built for urgent Ukraine's needs and for the long-term alike: the aim is to form standing demining units that are trained well and have military equipment and gear in accordance with Western standards.

In September 2024 the Coalition Fund was established and unveiled, over a month, the first equipment acquired with Fund money, ATV trucks and mine detectors, was transferred to the Ministry of Defence nad the Armed Forces of Ukraine .

In the end of 2024 the long-term demining and capability development action plan 2024-2034 was signed approving over EUR 700 million for equipment acquisition alone, additional funding will be given for training and development of logistical infrastructure.

The Coalition Partners can freely choose the manner and scope of their assistance: to provide support in the area of military or humanitarian demining, or both. The assistance may come in the form of financial contributions to common procurements, contributions in equipment or with training organized for the Ukrainian.

Lithuania has contributed EUR 26.6 million to the Demining Coalition Capability Fund, donated equipment, purchased demining personnel suits and unmanned demining vehicles.

Ukraine is the most heavily mine-polluted nation worldwide. Mines not only endanger Ukrainian civilian and troops but also prevent agricultural activities. According to data provided by Tony Blair Institute, Ukraine loses approx. USD 11.2 billion in yearly GDP as a result.