U.S. Conventional Weapons Destruction in Europe:
Minimizing Explosive Hazard Risks, Promoting Recovery 
in Conflict-Affected Countries

The U.S. conventional weapons destruction program continues to support regional security, national capacity building, and economic development in Eastern Europe and the western Balkans.  Funding from the United States and other donors has freed much of Southeast Europe from the impact of landmines and explosive remnants of war, quickly expanded Ukraine’s demining efforts since Russia’s illegal, full-scale invasion in February 2022, and significantly reduced stockpiles of unserviceable and unstable munitions throughout the region.

Conventional weapons destruction is a key component of U.S. diplomatic outreach to partner countries in Eastern Europe and the Balkans.  Since 1993, the United States has invested more than $751 million in Europe for landmine and unexploded ordnance clearance, survivor assistance, explosive ordnance risk education, and physical security and stockpile management that deepens and foster relationships, saves lives, and improves regional security.

In fiscal year 2023, the United States contributed $113.12 million to support activities in 14 countries in Europe.  With this assistance, the U.S. government accomplished the following key achievements:

• Cleared 2,804,129 square meters (692.9 acres) of land of explosive hazards;
• Destroyed 650 landmines;
• Destroyed 2,785 explosive remnants of war;
• Provided explosive ordnance risk education to 149,704 individuals;
• Conducted 551 explosive ordnance disposal callouts in response to urgent requests for unexploded ordnance to be investigated and rendered safe;
• Destroyed 904.92 metric tons of unserviceable ammunition;
• Provided medical or psychological support to 19 survivors of explosive ordnance;
• Built or rehabilitated 7 armories.

The United States is the world’s leading financial supporter of conventional weapons destruction, providing more than $5.09 billion in assistance to over 125 countries and areas since 1993.  For more information on U.S. humanitarian demining and conventional weapons destruction programs, see the latest edition of our annual report, To Walk the Earth in Safety.

For additional information or to request a printed copy of To Walk the Earth in Safety, please contact the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, Office of Congressional and Public Affairs, at pm-cpa@state.gov, and follow us on X (Twitter) @StateDeptPM.  The report is also available on the Department of State website at https://www.state.gov/to-walk-the-earth-in-safety/.