President Joe Biden has revealed that providing Ukraine with cluster munitions was a difficult decision, but one that he ultimately made to support Kyiv in its counteroffensive against Russia, CNN reports.
The White House announced the approval of the transfer of cluster munitions to Ukraine, a move that has been resisted in the past. Biden stated that the decision was reached after discussions with allies and Congress, emphasizing that Ukraine is running out of ammunition. The cluster munitions will be compatible with US-provided artillery, aiding Ukraine's efforts to regain territory.
Biden explained that this was a temporary measure until more artillery could be produced. Notably, more than 100 countries have banned cluster munitions, but the US and Ukraine are not signatories to the ban. Biden acknowledged the difficulty of the decision but highlighted the importance of providing Ukraine with the necessary weapons to defend against Russian aggression.
The announcement comes as Ukraine seeks to make significant gains in its counteroffensive. Biden's trip to Europe, including the NATO summit, will address the ongoing conflict and Ukraine's aspirations to join the alliance. While Biden acknowledged that NATO consensus on Ukraine's immediate membership may be lacking, he affirmed that the US and its NATO allies will continue supporting Ukraine's security and providing the necessary weaponry.
The issue of Ukraine's NATO membership will be a key topic of discussion during the summit. Biden emphasized the need to end Russia's war in Ukraine before considering Ukraine's inclusion in NATO, highlighting the commitment to defending NATO territory.
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