Slovenia will secure €1.5 million for demining activities in Ukraine by the end of this year under an agreement signed by Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon and Ukrainian Ambassador Andriy Taran on 4 December.

Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, who attended the signing by videoconference, thanked Slovenia for the donation and stressed the importance of humanitarian demining, the Foreign Ministry said.

Slovenia is aware of the enormous demining needs in Ukraine and supports all efforts for safe and sustainable reconstruction of the country, Minister Fajon was quoted as saying.

She promised for Slovenia to continue to support Ukraine on its European path. "As a member of the UN Security Council, we will continue to work for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, based on the restoration of Ukraine's territorial integrity," she said.

According to the Slovenian Foreign Ministry, Ukraine is the most heavily mined country in the world. Almost a third of its territory is contaminated with mines, cluster munition and other explosive remnants.

Slovenia, which is also helping through the Slovenian-run ITF Enhancing Human Security fund for demining and post-conflict assistance to victims, has almost doubled its humanitarian aid funding this year to help alleviate the consequences of the war in Ukraine.

In addition to the latest donation, Slovenia has this year also earmarked €800,000 for projects of its strategic partner Slovenian Karitas for emergency humanitarian efforts.

Last week, the government approved an initiative to donate €200,000 to the foundation of Olena Zelenska, the wife of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, for the renovation of a hospital in Izium.