US President Joe Biden has faced criticism for his controversial decision to provide Ukraine with cluster bombs, despite their record of causing civilian casualties. President Biden defended his choice, stating that it was a “very difficult decision” that he made because “the Ukrainians are running out of ammunition.”
The move, which goes against the ban on cluster bombs in more than 120 countries, has drawn mixed reactions. Ukraine’s leader expressed gratitude for the “timely” military aid package worth $800 million, while a Moscow envoy criticized Washington’s “cynicism.”
Cluster bombs are known for their failure rate, leaving unexploded submunitions on the ground that can pose a risk to civilians for years. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan acknowledged this risk, stating that the decision to provide cluster munitions was deferred for as long as possible. He argued that the cluster bombs being sent to Ukraine by the US had a significantly lower failure rate than those already used by Russia in the conflict.
The decision to provide Ukraine with cluster bombs bypasses US law, which prohibits the production, use, or transfer of cluster munitions with a failure rate of over 1%. Early in the war, the White House referred to allegations of Russia’s use of cluster and vacuum bombs as a potential “war crime.”
Critics of President Biden’s decision, including US lawmakers, expressed concerns about the risk to civilians and the long-term consequences of using such munitions. However, supporters argued that providing Ukraine with the necessary firepower was crucial for its defence against Russian aggression.
The transfer of cluster munitions to Ukraine comes amid ongoing hostilities in the eastern Donetsk and south-eastern Zaporizhzhia regions. Ukraine’s military commander-in-chief had previously voiced frustration over the slow deliveries of promised weapons from the West, hampering their counteroffensive efforts.
While the decision sparked mixed reactions domestically, there has been no immediate backlash from US allies. Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated that the military alliance takes no position on cluster munitions. It is worth noting that more than 120 countries, including Germany, have committed to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, but the US, Ukraine, and Russia are not a party to the agreement.
