US to Provide Cluster Munitions to Ukraine, Justifies Decision Despite Controversy

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President Joe Biden has defended the “difficult decision” to supply cluster munitions to Ukraine, stating that it is crucial for their fight against Russia and with assurances from Ukraine that the weapons will be used carefully. The move, announced by National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, comes ahead of the NATO summit where Biden is expected to face inquiries from allies regarding the decision to send a weapon that has been banned by over two-thirds of alliance members due to its history of causing civilian casualties.

Biden admitted in a CNN interview that he took time to be convinced about the decision, consulting with the Defense Department, allies, and lawmakers before ultimately approving the munitions’ delivery. He emphasized that Ukraine is running low on ammunition, and the cluster bombs will provide a temporary solution to help counter Russian tanks.

The response to the decision has been mixed in Congress, with Democrats criticizing the plan while some Republicans support it. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy took to Twitter to express gratitude to Biden for the “timely, broad, and much-needed defense aid package,” believing it will bring Ukraine closer to victory and democracy.

Cluster munitions are explosive devices that release smaller bomblets in the air. The United States sees them as a means to provide essential ammunition to Ukraine to strengthen their offensive capabilities and break through Russian front lines. After months of internal deliberation, Biden decided to supply Ukraine with a version of the munitions that has a reduced failure rate for the bomblets to explode. While specific numbers were not disclosed, thousands of rounds are expected to be sent.

Acknowledging the risk of civilian harm from unexploded ordnance, Sullivan stated that the decision was delayed as long as possible. However, the prospect of Russian forces advancing and gaining more Ukrainian territory, potentially subjugating civilians, was deemed intolerable. The U.S. aims to prevent Ukraine from being defenseless in the conflict and asserts a distinction between Russia’s use of cluster munitions to attack Ukraine and Ukraine’s use for defensive purposes.

The U.N. human rights office called for an immediate halt to the use of such munitions in any location. The U.S. claims that the cluster munitions to be supplied to Ukraine have a failure rate of below 3%, significantly lower than some existing cluster munitions that leave a high number of unexploded bomblets. The International Committee of the Red Cross reports rates as high as 40% for certain munitions.

The provision of cluster munitions is part of an $800 million military aid package that the U.S. will send to Ukraine. In addition to the munitions, the package will include Bradley and Stryker armored vehicles and various ammunition types. It aims to alleviate the strain on limited U.S. ammunition reserves, as large quantities of 155 mm rounds have been sent to Ukraine. The cluster munitions will offer a highly lethal capability, enabling Ukraine to strike more Russian targets using fewer rounds.

The reactions from U.S. allies have been relatively muted, with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg emphasizing that the alliance does not take a position on cluster munitions, leaving it to individual allies to decide. Germany, which has signed the ban treaty, expressed understanding for the American position but stated that it will not supply cluster munitions to Ukraine.

The decision to provide cluster munitions to Ukraine is regarded as a temporary measure while the U.S. and its allies work to increase production of the 155 mm rounds. The U.S. last extensively used cluster bombs during the 2003 Iraq invasion, and they were considered a vital weapon during the 2001 Afghanistan invasion. Human Rights Watch estimates that over 1,500 cluster bombs were dropped in Afghanistan by the U.S.-led coalition in the initial three years of the conflict.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about cluster munitions

More about cluster munitions

• CNN: Biden defends decision to provide cluster munitions to Ukraine
• NATO: Statement by the NATO Secretary General on cluster munitions
• Human Rights Watch: Cluster Munitions
• United Nations: Convention on Cluster Munitions