US transfer of cluster munitions will be used by Western countries to strengthen assistance to Ukraine - International security expert

This was stated by Taras Zhovtenko, a national security expert, on Espreso TV.

"There is an international legal framework that restricts and prohibits the use of cluster munitions. Many of our allies have officially joined this framework. It would be very strange if our allies, who have signed the relevant convention, made a political statement in support of the United States. Then the question would arise as to whether these statements comply with international legal obligations. This is an absolutely logical connection," he said.

Zhovtenko added that different countries calibrate their statements in slightly different ways.

"Germany said they were against it, but they understand Ukraine's needs. Britain is likely to use its statement to open the door to more assistance to Ukraine with other, more traditional weapons systems. Such statements simply open the door to even more intensive military assistance to Ukraine. To say, "Let's increase our assistance to Ukraine with conventional weapons so that we don't have to violate international conventions anymore." This moment will be used to increase assistance and it is a serious argument to provide Ukraine with more other weapons that are not prohibited by international law," the expert concluded.

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 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.

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.

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

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.