Brussels, 16 September 2025 – The Permanent Representation of Denmark to the European Union and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) co-hosted the “Soul of Soil” event in Brussels on 16 September 2025, celebrating Ukraine's resilience and highlighting the critical role of humanitarian demining in the nation’s recovery. The event showcased how collective efforts are reclaiming fertile land that had been contaminated by explosive ordnance, turning it into a source of nourishment and economic revival.

The event featured a culinary experience with produce grown on demined fields in Ukraine’s Mykolaiv Oblast, prepared by Ukrainian celebrity chef Olga Martynovska. The initiative, a joint project with Ukraine's Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture, uses food to tell the powerful story of how demining efforts are driving reconstruction and economic recovery in affected communities.

The event brought together a distinguished assembly of diplomatic, as well as humanitarian and development leaders, including ambassadors and representatives from permanent representations of various countries to the European Union, the European Commission, European External Action Service, and European Investment Bank. International organizations and non-governmental organizations also participated in this powerful demonstration of solidarity. Sherri Aldis, Director of the UN Regional Information Centre for Western Europe, moderated the proceedings.

Speaking at the event, Lene Mandel Vensild, Ambassador for EU's Foreign and Security Policy for Denmark, underscored Denmark's long history in humanitarian mine action, noting that it is “a human imperative” that is “a prerequisite for any meaningful recovery.” She also referenced Denmark’s new EUR 375 million Ukraine Transition Programme, describing it as “the biggest and most ambitious country programme in the history of the development support.” As part of this broader commitment, she announced a new three-year partnership with UNDP – the Mykolaiv Strategic Partnership – designed to accelerate reconstruction and recovery in Ukraine’s Mykolaiv Oblast, with a total budget of over US$36 million.

Serhii Tereshko, Deputy Head of Ukraine’s Mission to the European Union, spoke passionately about the threat to Ukraine’s identity as the “breadbasket of Europe,” stating that Russia’s invasion is “a war against our land, our livelihoods, and our very soul.” The Ukrainian agriculture production severely affected by the war, in particular because of the huge mines and explosives contamination of the rural lands. It urgently requires significant international efforts for demining in Ukraine, while Ukrainian farmers need support in restoring their potential to grow food. The Ukrainian diplomat stressed the need of global solidarity with Ukraine and in this regard welcomed the coordinated support and partnership of the UNDP and EU, noting that the “Soul of Soil” initiative is powerful example of collective work, a message of Ukraine’s resilience and “a promise that any peace of Ukrainian soil will be reclaimed, free, safe and fertile again”. 

Teresa Czerwińska, Vice President of the European Investment Bank (EIB), stated in her speech that the EIB's work in Ukraine is a central pillar of its mandate as the European Union's bank. She explained that their support is “tailored to help a country transition from crisis to long-term sustainable growth” and includes “mobilizing capital to rebuild critical infrastructure, support small and medium-sized enterprises, and finance the long-term recovery of a nation on its path to EU accession.”

Auke Lootsma, UNDP Resident Representative in Ukraine, noted that the strength of Ukrainian communities is rooted in their connection to their soil, which has become threatened by “the invisible menace of mines and unexploded ordnance.” He added that the demining work does more than return land to agriculture; it “provides a pathway back to a normal life for millions of Ukrainians” and “creates new jobs, giving veterans and internally displaced people a dignified return to civilian life.”

Chef Olga Martynovska also highlighted the powerful message the "Soul of Soil" initiative conveys. “Cooking with produce from demined fields is a powerful way to show the world that Ukraine is not only resilient, but our land is healing,” she said. “It's about turning a symbol of conflict into a source of nourishment and hope for the future.”

Background:

UNDP's comprehensive five-year mine action programme in Ukraine focuses on strengthening national capacities to address the humanitarian and economic consequences of landmine contamination. UNDP assists national authorities in developing their National Mine Action Strategy and standards, while also providing training and equipment to local demining teams.

The programme also promotes explosive ordnance risk education to help minimize civilian casualties and improve protective behaviours in affected communities.

The war in Ukraine has left vast areas contaminated with landmines and other explosive remnants of war, significantly impacting agricultural production and food security. It was initially estimated by the Government that up to 30% of Ukraine's territory was potentially contaminated after the full-scale invasion, a figure which has since been reduced to 23% through the surveying and clearing of land.

UNDP works with the Ukrainian government to support all aspects of humanitarian mine action. To date, nearly 35,000 square kilometres of land, including agricultural areas, have been returned to productive use. This multi-faceted approach provides vital victim assistance and helps create new jobs for veterans and internally displaced persons, facilitating a dignified return to civilian life.

UNDP is grateful for the contributions to mine action in Ukraine made by its partners – the European Union, and the governments of Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Denmark, Italy, France, Germany, Japan, Republic of Korea, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

Media Enquiries:

Yuliia Samus, UNDP Ukraine Head of Communications and Advocacy, yuliia.samus@undp.org