When we think about peace, many of us imagine the end of fighting, the guns going quiet, the skies clearing, and people finally returning home. But for those who live in war zones, peace isn’t that simple. The truth is, war leaves behind scars that last long after the ceasefire is signed. For Ukraine, and for countless countries that have endured the brutality of bombs, mines, and toxic weapons, true peace can only come through real disarmament, not just a political checkbox.
The Lingering Shadows of War
The phrase Ukraine needs real disarmament carries weight because history has already shown us what happens when weapons outlive the wars they were built for. In Southeast Asia, the aftermath of U.S. wars in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia is still felt today. Millions of tons of bombs were dropped, and a shocking number of them never exploded. Decades later, unexploded ordnance remains buried beneath fields, forests, and villages, killing and injuring innocent people every year.
My own family history reflects this pain. Growing up in Laos, I heard stories from my grandparents and parents about bombs falling like rain. Even long after the fighting stopped, the danger never truly ended. These are reminders that a ceasefire isn’t enough, it’s the aftermath that defines whether communities can ever truly heal. That’s why Ukraine needs real disarmament to avoid the same generational suffering.
Lessons from Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Visiting the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum is a heart-stopping experience. It tells the story of devastation caused by the atomic bombings, but it also shows the resilience of survivors. Meeting peace activists like Koko Kondo, who forgave the man involved in dropping the bomb that shattered her city, teaches us the depth of human strength and compassion.
Yet even today, survivors and their descendants still carry the wounds of radiation exposure, cancers, trauma, lifelong health struggles. The lesson is painfully clear: war’s devastation doesn’t vanish with treaties or speeches. Its effects seep into the soil, into bodies, into memories. This is why Ukraine needs real disarmament, because leaving behind weapons that poison the land and people only ensures future suffering.
Japan’s Leadership in Peacebuilding
After its own painful history, Japan has chosen to lead in peacebuilding and disarmament. It has joined efforts like the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and invested in humanitarian projects abroad. Recently, Japan pledged millions to help countries like Cambodia clear mines and ordnance, while also providing equipment and training for demining in Ukraine.
These actions show us what solidarity can look like. They also remind us that disarmament is not just about removing nuclear stockpiles, it’s about cleaning up deadly legacies, restoring farmland, and protecting future generations. If Japan can transform its tragedy into leadership, then the world must also rally behind Ukraine. That’s why voices everywhere insist that Ukraine needs real disarmament now.
The Burning Fields of Ukraine
Since 2022, Ukraine has endured horrifying incendiary attacks. Rockets and drones scatter burning compounds across towns, farmlands, and forests, creating not just immediate destruction but also long-term suffering. Survivors live with burns, respiratory injuries, and trauma that may never fade. Fires have destroyed homes, fields, and entire communities, leaving toxic residues behind that prevent recovery.
The cruelty of these weapons lies in their design: they are built not just to harm in the moment, but to ensure the pain continues. And yet, international law is full of loopholes. Treaties like Protocol III of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons are supposed to regulate such weapons, but exemptions allow their continued use. This is why Ukraine needs real disarmament, not another weak piece of paper filled with technicalities that fail to protect human lives.
The Moral Duty of Disarmament
Disarmament is often treated as a diplomatic achievement, a box to tick at global summits. But if history has taught us anything, it’s that disarmament must be a moral commitment. It means more than treaties, it means clearing land of hidden bombs, banning weapons designed to burn, and supporting communities through recovery.
When we say Ukraine needs real disarmament, we are saying that peace cannot be partial. It must heal the wounds of the past, protect people in the present, and prevent future harm. Anything less only guarantees that the shadows of war will stretch into the future.
Choosing Peace Again and Again
Peace is not just the silence after gunfire. It is a choice, made over and over, until it becomes a reality. On this International Day of Peace, the theme “Act Now for a Peaceful World” calls us to do more than hope. It calls us to act.
Solidarity means more than sympathizing, it means standing up, speaking out, and stepping in. We already know what incendiary weapons, bombs, and toxins do. We know how long their damage lasts. The only real question is whether we will allow that knowledge to move us toward action. That is why the world must remember, again and again, that Ukraine needs real disarmament to break the cycle of generational suffering.
FAQs About Ukraine needs real disarmament
- Why does Ukraine need real disarmament instead of just a ceasefire?
A ceasefire only stops the fighting, but unexploded bombs, toxic weapons, and incendiary remnants continue to harm civilians for decades. Real disarmament ensures lasting safety and recovery. - What lessons can Ukraine learn from Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia?
These countries still face deadly threats from unexploded bombs dropped decades ago. Ukraine can avoid repeating this tragedy by prioritizing immediate and thorough disarmament efforts. - How has Japan contributed to disarmament worldwide?
Japan, shaped by its history with nuclear devastation, has taken the lead in supporting global peacebuilding. It funds mine clearance, provides demining training, and supports disarmament frameworks internationally. - What makes incendiary weapons especially dangerous in Ukraine?
These weapons not only destroy in the moment but also leave toxic residues, burn croplands, and cause long-term health problems. Their design ensures suffering continues long after attacks end. - How can the international community support Ukraine’s disarmament?
By closing legal loopholes, banning incendiary and toxic weapons, funding demining operations, and providing humanitarian aid to rebuild communities, the world can help Ukraine achieve true peace.
Final Thoughts
The call that Ukraine needs real disarmament is not just about Ukraine, it’s about humanity’s responsibility to learn from history. From Hiroshima to Laos to Ukraine, the scars of war prove that peace must mean more than silence. It must mean healing, justice, and prevention. Only then can future generations live free from the shadows of destruction.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It reflects historical events, current reports, and humanitarian perspectives at the time of writing. Circumstances may evolve, and readers are encouraged to follow ongoing developments for the most accurate understanding.
