US to give Ukraine cluster munitions. Biden, Zelenskyy comment

This is reported by the White House.

The upcoming delivery of cluster munitions to Ukraine was announced by US President Joe Biden's National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan during a briefing. He clarified that Kyiv would receive them in the next US aid package.

According to Sullivan, the United States delayed the supply of cluster munitions to Ukraine because they pose a danger to the civilian population.

"We recognize that cluster munitions pose a risk of harm to civilians from unexploded ordnance. That's why we delayed the decision as long as we could," Sullivan said.

At the same time, he emphasized that there is a huge risk of harm to civilians if Russian troops and tanks seize more Ukrainian territory.

Sullivan added that the US administration has received written assurances from Ukraine that it will use cluster munitions with caution to avoid risks to civilians.

Shortly afterward, the Pentagon officially announced a new USD 800 million military aid package for Ukraine, including DPICM cluster munitions.

During a briefing, US Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Colin Kahl said that the package would include 155 mm artillery shells, precision-guided ammunition for Patriot and highly mobile artillery missile systems, Stryker armored personnel carriers, spare parts and operational support.

What Joe Biden said

According to US President Joe Biden, the decision to provide Ukraine with cluster munitions was a difficult one.

"It was a very difficult decision on my part. And by the way, I discussed this with our allies, I discussed this with our friends up on the Hill," Biden said in an interview with CNN. 

He noted that Ukrainians desperately need ammunition, because "they are running out of it." 

"This is a war relating to munitions. And they’re running out of that ammunition, and we’re low on it. And so, what I finally did, I took the recommendation of the Defense Department to – not permanently – but to allow for this transition period, while we get more 155 weapons, these shells, for the Ukrainians," he explained. 

He reminded that the United States and Ukraine have not signed the Convention on Cluster Munitions.

“They’re trying to get through those trenches and stop those tanks from rolling. But it was not an easy decision. We’re not signatories to that agreement, but it took me a while to be convinced to do it. But the main thing is they either have the weapons to stop the Russians now – keep them from stopping the Ukrainian offensive through these areas – or they don’t. And I think they needed them," Biden said. 

How Volodymyr Zelenskyy reacted

According to President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the new US aid package is timely, broad, and much needed.  

"We are grateful to the American people and President Joseph Biden for the decisive steps that bring Ukraine closer to defeating the enemy and democracy closer to defeating dictatorship. Expanding Ukraine's defense capabilities will provide new tools for de-occupying our land and bringing peace closer," Zelenskyy wrote. 

What does the new USD 800 million US aid package for Ukraine include?

• 105-mm and 155-mm artillery shells, including cluster munitions
• Additional ammunition for Patriot and HIMARS systems
• AIM-7 air defense missiles
• 32 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles
• 32 Stryker armored personnel carriers
• 31 155-mm howitzers
• Stinger and Javelin anti-aircraft systems
• Tube-launched missiles
• Penguin unmanned aerial systems
• Equipment for demining
• Small arms and 28 million rounds of ammunition
• 37 vehicles for lifting and towing equipment.

The background behind the decision to provide Ukraine with cluster munitions

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.

 German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock opposes the supply of cluster munitions to Ukraine, which is currently being considered by the White House.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg commented on the potential supply of cluster munitions to Kyiv, noting that Ukraine is defending itself in an aggressive war.

The UN Human Rights Office in Geneva has responded to reports that the United States may provide cluster munitions to Ukraine by opposing such supplies.

Western media, citing their sources, report that the United States will begin to ship cluster munitions to Ukraine.