In a move that has drawn widespread international concern, the United States has announced its decision to supply cluster bombs to Ukraine, citing the country’s dwindling weapon stocks. However, the use of these weapons has been widely banned due to their severe threat to civilian populations. The UK and Canada, among others, have voiced their opposition to the provision of these bombs. The contentious issue is expected to be a topic of discussion during the upcoming meeting between US President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Monday. While Mr. Sunak has not directly criticized President Biden, he emphasized the UK’s commitment to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which prohibits the production and use of such weapons.
Other US allies, including New Zealand, have taken a stronger stance against the decision, warning about the potential harm to innocent civilians. Cluster bombs are known to release numerous smaller explosive submunitions that can cause indiscriminate casualties over a wide area. The presence of unexploded submunitions poses a long-term threat to civilian safety, as they can remain active on the ground for years. The US claims to have received written assurances from Ukraine that the weapons will not be used in Russia or urban areas. Nonetheless, concerns persist among NATO partner nations and human rights organizations regarding the potential harm these weapons could inflict. Following his visit to the UK, President Biden will also meet with King Charles for the first time since his coronation.
Subsequently, NATO members will convene in Vilnius for a summit, where discussions on bolstering ammunition stockpiles and reviewing defense plans will take place. Finland, attending its first summit since joining in April, seeks to participate, while Sweden’s plans have been hindered by Turkey, which accuses Sweden of harboring terrorists. President Biden is expected to seek UK Prime Minister Sunak’s support in brokering a deal with Turkey. Ukraine, which aspires to join NATO, has been informed by President Biden that membership is contingent upon the resolution of the ongoing war. Biden emphasized NATO’s commitment to protect the territorial integrity of its members.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who will attend the summit, has acknowledged this stance while expressing the desire for a signal that Ukraine can join the alliance once the conflict concludes. The US decision to provide cluster bombs to Ukraine was part of an $800 million military aid package. Although some NATO allies, such as Canada and Spain, have expressed their opposition, Germany has understood the American position while refraining from supplying these weapons themselves.
Concerns regarding the reliability and failure rates of cluster bombs persist, as unexploded submunitions can detonate randomly. While Ukraine has promised not to use these weapons in civilian areas and has pledged to monitor and report on their usage, Russia has dismissed these assurances as insubstantial. The decision to supply cluster bombs to Ukraine has sparked a contentious debate within the international community, highlighting the complex dynamics and differing perspectives among NATO allies.