British Prime Minister (PM) Rishi Sunak has discouraged the use of lethal cluster bombs on the battlefield of the Russia-Ukraine war, following the decision of U.S. President Joe Biden to send them to Kyiv.
According to Sky News, Sunak remarked that the United Kingdom is among 123 nations that signed the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) in December 2008. Instead, the Conservative (Tory) PM reiterated that London will continue to supply tanks and other long-range weapons to Ukraine.
"We will continue to do our part to support Ukraine against Russia's illegal and unprovoked invasion," said Sunak. "But we've done that by providing heavy battle tanks and, most recently, long-range weapons. Hopefully, all countries can continue to support Ukraine."
"Russia's act of barbarism is causing untold suffering to millions of people. It's right that we collectively stand up to it."
Sunak found an ally in fellow Tory Tobias Ellwood, the Member of Parliament for Bournemouth East. He urged Washington to reconsider its decision to send cluster bombs to Ukraine.
"This is the wrong call and will alienate international goodwill. Their use leaves deadly unexploded ordnance over the battlefield, killing and injuring civilians," tweeted Elwood, also the chairman of the British House of Commons' Defense Select Committee.
The U.K. is not the only country that voiced disagreement toward the decision to send cluster bombs to Ukraine. Even Spain, a signatory in the CCM, expressed opposition to the move.
"Spain, based on the firm commitment it has with Ukraine, also has a firm commitment that certain weapons and bombs cannot be delivered under any circumstances," said Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles.
The CCM prohibits the use or stockpiling of cluster bombs as they kill indiscriminately when used on the battlefield. Moreover, any unexploded munitions can pose a serious risk to civilians long after conflicts have ended.
Biden defends "difficult decision" to send cluster bombs
For his part, Biden called the move to send cluster bombs to Ukraine a "difficult decision." However, he insisted that such an action was timely given that "the Ukrainians are running out of ammunition." (Related: Biden set to approve CLUSTER BOMBS for Ukraine, even though they are BANNED in 120 countries.)
Germany has also expressed understanding of Washington's position on the matter, with a spokesman for Berlin saying: "We're certain that our U.S. friends didn't take the decision about supplying such ammunition lightly."
"We need to remember once again that Russia has already used cluster ammunition at a large scale in its illegal war of aggression against Ukraine," the spokesman added. Incidentally, Germany is also a signatory to the CCM.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky meanwhile thanked the U.S. for the "timely, broad and much-needed defense aid package" that includes the controversial munitions. This package, he added, will "bring Ukraine closer to victory over the enemy, and democracy to victory over dictatorship."
Yuriy Sak, advisor to Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov, described Washington's aid package as an "important" and "timely" move.
"Russia has been using cluster munitions from day one of this aggressive, unprovoked war against Ukraine. They've been using cluster munitions against civilian cities," Sak told Sky News. "Now, we need those types of weapons, as well as other types of weapons, in order for us to achieve one single sole purpose – which is to liberate our land."
The advisor assured that Kyiv "will be using these weapons very responsibly," adding that Reznikov "has given written assurances that certain principles will be applied" over the use of cluster bombs. He continued: "They will be used only on the battlefield to allow the Ukrainian army to break through the defense lines of the enemy."
"We are dealing with an enemy who is killing our civilians every day. We have a right to self-defense – but in exercising that right, we will always commit ourselves to abide the international norms of war and humanitarian laws."
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