UN opposes providing Ukraine with cluster munitions

A spokeswoman for the UN Human Rights Office said this at a briefing, Bild reports.

"Such ammunition kills and maims people long after the conflict is over. Therefore, their use must be stopped immediately," she said.

The agency called on Russia and Ukraine to join the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which prohibits the use, production and transfer of certain types of conventional cluster munitions.

Supply of cluster munitions to Ukraine

The 2008 pact, known as the Convention on Cluster Munitions, was adopted by 123 countries, including a majority of the 28 NATO members. However, countries such as the United States, Russia, and Ukraine did not become parties to the convention. It is important to note that Russia is actively using cluster munitions in the war against 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 U.S. 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 U.S. Congress. However, the Biden administration strongly opposed the proposal due to the international treaty banning cluster munitions that was established in 2008.

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, it became known that the United States was close to agreeing to provide Ukraine with cluster munitions.

Human Rights Watch has called on the Biden administration not to provide Ukraine with cluster munitions, warning of the danger to civilians.

The Pentagon said it was considering providing Ukraine with cluster munitions.