US President Joe Biden has defended his controversial decision to supply Ukraine with cluster bombs. Despite their known record of causing civilian casualties. In an interview with CNN, President Biden acknowledged the difficulty of the decision but cited the urgent need to support Ukraine. Which is running out of ammunition in its conflict with Russia.
While the move was welcomed by Ukrainian leaders as timely assistance, a Moscow envoy criticized the decision as an act of cynicism. It is important to note that cluster bombs are banned by more than 120 countries. Due to their indiscriminate nature and the potential harm they cause to civilians.
President Biden stated that he had consulted with allies about the decision, which comes ahead of a NATO summit in Lithuania next week. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan acknowledged the risk of civilian harm from unexploded cluster bombs. But emphasized the need to support Ukraine’s defence capabilities.
Sullivan explained that the decision to provide cluster munitions was made after careful consideration, as Ukraine’s artillery supplies were running critically low and the US aimed to bridge the gap until domestic production could be increased. He reaffirmed the commitment not to leave Ukraine defenceless during this conflict.
Critics have raised concerns about the dud rate of cluster bombs, which means that unexploded submunition can pose a long-lasting danger to civilians. Detonating unpredictably in the future. However, Sullivan argued that the American cluster bombs being sent to Ukraine have a dud rate of less than 2.5%. Significantly lower than the dud rate of Russia’s cluster munitions, which is estimated to be between 30-40%.
Bypassing US Law
It is worth noting that President Biden’s decision to provide cluster bombs to Ukraine bypasses US law. Which prohibits the production, use, or transfer of cluster munitions with a failure rate of more than 1%. Earlier in the conflict, the White House had condemned Russia’s alleged use of cluster and vacuum bombs. Whitehouse described them as potential war crimes.
Human rights organizations, such as the UN human rights office, have called for an immediate halt to the use of cluster munitions in any context. Emphasizing the need to protect civilian populations.
President Biden’s decision to supply Ukraine with cluster bombs stirs controversy. The international community continues to grapple with the ethical and humanitarian implications of their use in armed conflicts.
