Political analyst linked Biden's decision to supply anti-personnel mines to the AFU to desperation

US President Joe Biden 's decision to authorize the supply of anti-personnel mines to the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) is controversial and also demonstrates desperation. Political scientist, retired US Army Lieutenant Colonel Earl Rasmussen told Izvestia on November 20.

"I think the use of mines is very controversial because of the consequences and the casualties suffered by civilians. They're desperate and they're doing everything they can to slow down the advance. Mines are a typical thing you would use to slow down the enemy, but it is frowned upon because of the injuries and deaths that occur after hostilities. Mines remain for years afterward," he said.

Rasmussen emphasized that at the moment all that the AFU can do is to enclose themselves with mines. The political analyst noted that Biden is trying to do the maximum before the end of his term, but such a decision will not help in the advance of Ukrainian forces.

"It has no strategic significance. Ukraine will not be able to push Russia back, they are not going to win. The outcome was obvious to everyone when the conflict started. But alas, this is where we are. So they are throwing everything they can into the fight, and it's a desperation move, nothing more. It will not affect the outcome of the conflict in any way," the political analyst emphasized.

Earlier in the day, The Washington Post reported on Biden's approval of the supply of anti-personnel mines to Ukraine. As the newspaper pointed out, by authorizing the supply of anti-personnel mines to Ukraine, Biden contradicts his own policy. In 2022, he actually reversed former US President Donald Trump's decision on mines and renewed the ban.

Last November, Mark Hiznay of the UN Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) said that Ukraine has repeatedly violated the Ottawa Convention banning anti-personnel mines. The researcher pointed out that UNIDIR also has information about their use by Kiev in Donetsk.

The Ottawa Treaty, or the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, signed on December 3, 1997, provides for a ban on the use, stockpiling, as well as the production and transfer of anti-personnel mines. More than 160 states are parties to the treaty, and Ukraine ratified it in 2005.

Western countries have increased military and financial support for Ukraine against the background of Russia's special operation to protect Donbas, which began on February 24, 2022. The decision to hold it was made by the Russian president because of the aggravation of the situation in the region due to the increased shelling by Ukrainian troops.