2023-07-07 19:54:00
He claimed President Joe Biden made the decision in consultation with allies and following a “unanimous recommendation” from his administration.
The official also assured that the Ukrainians had provided “written” guarantees on the use they would make of these weapons to minimize “the risks posed to civilians”.
The announcement comes as part of a new $800 million military assistance package for Ukraine that brings total U.S. military assistance since the war began in February 2022 to over of $41 billion.
In addition to cluster munitions, the United States will provide armored vehicles, artillery ammunition, anti-tank weapons and other equipment.
War in Ukraine: Russian army says it hit all its targets following deadly strike on Lviv
These so-called cluster munitions disperse or release small explosive charges designed to explode before impact, on impact or following impact. Depending on the type of weapon used, the number of submunitions dispersed or released can range from a few dozen to over 600.
Many countries have banned its use and production under the 2008 Oslo Convention, to which neither the United States nor Ukraine are parties.
Mr. Sullivan justified himself at length on this decision, denounced by NGOs, arguing that “artillery is at the heart of this conflict” and that Russia has used this type of weapon since the start of the war.
Mr. Sullivan also indicated that Ukraine will not “join (would) not join NATO” at the end of the Vilnius summit, scheduled for next week, even if this question will be raised during the event.
kyiv “still has many steps to take before it can become a member” of the Atlantic Alliance, he said.
This question will be at the center of the summit in the Lithuanian capital where NATO leaders should however reaffirm their intention to eventually integrate Ukraine into the Alliance. The exact wording of this commitment, which meets strong expectations from kyiv, is the subject of intense negotiations.
The White House has also said that it expects Sweden to join NATO “in the near future”.
The national security adviser said it was “possible” that Turkey and Hungary, which are currently blocking Stockholm’s membership, would change their position next week at the Alliance summit, saying that even if it wasn’t not the case, Washington estimated “that it will happen(it) in the near future”.
Zelensky thanks Washington for its “indispensable” aid to the defense of Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday thanked his American counterpart Joe Biden for the “indispensable” military aid in the defense of Ukraine following the American commitment to provide cluster munitions.
“Much needed, extensive and timely military aid,” Mr. Zelensky wrote on social media, thanking Mr. Biden and the Americans for these “decisive measures”. “Increasing Ukraine’s defense capabilities will bring new tools to liberate our territory and bring us closer to peace,” he added.
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