Ukraine would be defenseless without cluster munitions - Blinken

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken made the statement in an interview with NBC.

"The stockpiles around the world and in Ukraine of the unitary munitions, not the cluster munitions, were running out, about to be depleted. And so, the hard but necessary choice to give them the cluster munitions amounted to this: If we didn’t do it, we don’t do it, then they will run out of ammunition. If they run out of ammunition, then they will be defenseless," he said in the statement.

Blinken dismissed concerns that US-supplied cluster munitions could pose a deadly danger in Ukraine for years by ejecting unexploded bombs.

"Every ally I’ve talked to has said they understand why we’re doing this when we’re doing it," Blinken said.

Supply of cluster munitions to Ukraine

In December 2022, Ukraine asked the United States to provide it with cluster munitions for MLRS and artillery shells. At the time, the administration of US President Joe Biden was not ready to fulfill this request and was considering it.

In February 2023, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba called on Western allies to provide the country with cluster munitions.

Following Ukraine's initial request to the United States for cluster munitions, there was an expansion of the appeal. Kyiv specifically asked Washington for MK-20 aircraft cluster bombs with the intention of modifying them for use with drones. It was revealed that there was some level of support for Ukraine's request within the US Congress. However, the Biden administration strongly opposed the proposal as cluster munitions are banned by a 2008 international treaty.

Later, four members of the US Congress from the Republican Party called on the US President to send cluster munitions to Ukraine.

On June 30, media reported that the administration of US President Joe Biden is seriously considering the possibility of sending Ukraine cluster munitions, the use of which is controversial.

On July 6, Human Rights Watch called on the administration of US President Joe Biden not to provide Ukraine with cluster munitions, warning of the danger to civilians.

On July 7, German Foreign Minister Annalena Burbock said that Germany is against sending cluster munitions to Ukraine.

On July 7, the UN Human Rights Office in Geneva responded to reports that the United States may provide cluster munitions to Ukraine by opposing such supplies.

On July 7, the United States announced the transfer of cluster munitions to Ukraine.