2014 The United States under President Barack Obama mostly accepts the terms of the treaty by ceasing to acquire anti-personnel land mines and prohibiting their use outside of the Korean Peninsula.[69][70][better source needed]
2020 The United States under President Donald Trump reverses the Obama policy change and restores the George W. Bush administration position on anti-personnel landmines, authorizing Combatant Commanders to employ "advanced, non-persistent landmines".[71][70]
2022 President of the United States Joe Biden reverses the policy of his predecessor, Trump, and continues disarmament, saying that the United States will not produce or acquire anti-personnel mines, will not support any other country in its use of these mines, and commits to destroying all existing anti-personnel mines in its possession (excluding those on the Korean Peninsula).[71][72]
2024 Biden partly reverses his previous position and agrees to deliver anti-personnel mines to the Ukrainian government for use against Russian invaders.[73]
A former British Army soldier, James Scott Rhys Anderson, has been sentenced to 19 years in a Russian penal colony after being captured while fighting for Ukraine.
Harsh Sentence for Alleged ‘Mercenarism’ and Terrorism
Russian authorities convicted the 22-year-old under terrorism charges and mercenarism in a closed trial at the 2nd Western District Military Court in Kursk. The ruling states that Anderson will serve the first five years in a prison facility, followed by 14 years in a strict regime penal colony.
Russian judicial sources alleged that Anderson admitted guilt, claiming he fought “for monetary reward” while serving with Ukrainian forces.
Russia Sought 20-Year Sentence
During court proceedings from March 3 to March 5, prosecutors demanded a 20-year sentence, claiming Anderson had committed “particularly serious crimes in the Kursk region”. However, the court issued a reduced 19-year sentence, acknowledging his confession and remorse.
Closed-Door Trial Raises Human Rights Concerns
The trial was held behind closed doors, with limited evidence made public. A Ukrainian soldier who served alongside Anderson was reportedly questioned as a witness.
Human rights organisations and Ukraine’s government have repeatedly accused Russia of torturing captured soldiers into providing false confessions, with many POW trials lacking transparency.
Political Prisoner or Criminal?
Anderson’s case has drawn comparisons to other foreign fighters captured by Russia, with concerns over unfair trials and forced confessions. His sentencing comes amid increasing international condemnation of Russia’s treatment of prisoners captured in Ukraine.
Calls for International Action
With Anderson set to spend the next seven years in a high-security Russian prison, followed by over a decade in a penal colony, pressure is mounting on the UK government and international human rights organisations to intervene and challenge the ruling.
This is a developing story, and further updates are expected as diplomatic responses unfold.
Comments
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ottawa_Treaty
2014
The United States under President Barack Obama mostly accepts the terms of the treaty by ceasing to acquire anti-personnel land mines and prohibiting their use outside of the Korean Peninsula.[69][70][better source needed]
2020
The United States under President Donald Trump reverses the Obama policy change and restores the George W. Bush administration position on anti-personnel landmines, authorizing Combatant Commanders to employ "advanced, non-persistent landmines".[71][70]
2022
President of the United States Joe Biden reverses the policy of his predecessor, Trump, and continues disarmament, saying that the United States will not produce or acquire anti-personnel mines, will not support any other country in its use of these mines, and commits to destroying all existing anti-personnel mines in its possession (excluding those on the Korean Peninsula).[71][72]
2024
Biden partly reverses his previous position and agrees to deliver anti-personnel mines to the Ukrainian government for use against Russian invaders.[73]
Harsh Sentence for Alleged ‘Mercenarism’ and Terrorism
Russian authorities convicted the 22-year-old under terrorism charges and mercenarism in a closed trial at the 2nd Western District Military Court in Kursk. The ruling states that Anderson will serve the first five years in a prison facility, followed by 14 years in a strict regime penal colony.
Russian judicial sources alleged that Anderson admitted guilt, claiming he fought “for monetary reward” while serving with Ukrainian forces.
Russia Sought 20-Year Sentence
During court proceedings from March 3 to March 5, prosecutors demanded a 20-year sentence, claiming Anderson had committed “particularly serious crimes in the Kursk region”. However, the court issued a reduced 19-year sentence, acknowledging his confession and remorse.
Closed-Door Trial Raises Human Rights Concerns
The trial was held behind closed doors, with limited evidence made public. A Ukrainian soldier who served alongside Anderson was reportedly questioned as a witness.
Human rights organisations and Ukraine’s government have repeatedly accused Russia of torturing captured soldiers into providing false confessions, with many POW trials lacking transparency.
Political Prisoner or Criminal?
Anderson’s case has drawn comparisons to other foreign fighters captured by Russia, with concerns over unfair trials and forced confessions. His sentencing comes amid increasing international condemnation of Russia’s treatment of prisoners captured in Ukraine.
Calls for International Action
With Anderson set to spend the next seven years in a high-security Russian prison, followed by over a decade in a penal colony, pressure is mounting on the UK government and international human rights organisations to intervene and challenge the ruling.
This is a developing story, and further updates are expected as diplomatic responses unfold.
https://uk.yahoo.com/news/russia-hits-starmer-ukraine-peacekeeping-135032831.html
https://uk.yahoo.com/news/zelenskyy-untrustworthy-crook-punk-says-201600746.html
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/trump-suspending-us-aid-to-ukraine-is-not-about-a-ceasefire-it-is-to-force-kyiv-s-surrender/ar-AA1AnYV9?ocid=msedgntp&pc=W230&cvid=04c407cba7c6464f962e72294a3a0352&ei=115#fullscreen
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/ukraine-s-ambassador-to-uk-accuses-trump-of-destroying-world-order/ss-AA1AonjW?ocid=msedgntp&pc=W230&cvid=04c407cba7c6464f962e72294a3a0352&ei=56
https://uk.yahoo.com/news/minister-slaps-down-russias-ambassador-113437053.html
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/russia-still-wants-total-control-of-ukraine-v-skibitsky/ar-AA1Asirh?ocid=msedgntp&pc=W230&cvid=de2d9069b02b4619996a5e1bf516ee92&ei=59#fullscreen