UNITED STATES/UKRAINE: On Friday, the United States announced its decision to provide Ukraine with widely prohibited cluster munitions to support its efforts in countering Russian forces that have occupied the country.
Meanwhile, NATO’s leader stated that the military alliance would convene at a summit to discuss bringing Ukraine closer to joining.
Human rights organizations and the UN secretary-general have questioned Washington’s decision to supply these weapons, which are part of an $800 million security package.
The total amount of US military aid to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion in February 2022 now exceeds $40 billion.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has described the conflict as a “special military operation” aimed at safeguarding Russian security, while alleging that the US and its allies are engaged in an escalating proxy war.
A Pentagon official stated that the cluster munitions will be delivered in a timely manner for the counteroffensive. Cluster munitions are banned in over 100 countries due to their indiscriminate nature, but Russia, Ukraine, and the United States have not ratified the Convention on Cluster Munitions.
These weapons scatter numerous smaller bomblets that can pose a threat to anyone, even years after a conflict has ended if they fail to detonate.
Jake Sullivan, the national security adviser for the White House, stated that Ukraine has provided assurances that it will use the munitions carefully to minimize threats to civilians.
US President Joe Biden described the decision to provide cluster bombs as challenging but deemed them necessary for Ukraine’s defense.
According to Human Rights Watch, both Russian and Ukrainian forces have allegedly deployed cluster munitions resulting in casualties.
The Russian ambassador to the United States, Anatoly Antonov, criticized the American delivery of these weapons, expressing concern about the risk to innocent civilians.
Ukraine has reported regaining control of several villages in southern Ukraine since commencing the counteroffensive in early June. However, it faces challenges in accelerating its progress due to a lack of sufficient firepower and air support.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy embarked on a diplomatic tour to garner support for Ukraine’s NATO membership, visiting the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Turkey, following discussions in Bulgaria. He aims to secure backing ahead of the NATO summit on July 11-12.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan expressed support for Ukraine’s NATO membership, stating that the country deserves it, and Turkey will work towards a negotiated end to the conflict.
Zelenskiy received commitments in Prague to support Ukraine’s entry into NATO “as soon as the war is over,” and in Sofia, he gained support for entry “as soon as conditions permit.”
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg reiterated his belief that Ukraine would eventually join the alliance. He emphasized unity among NATO members and a resolute stance against Russia’s aggression.
The upcoming NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, holds significance for Ukraine, but the specific outcomes and progress towards membership remain uncertain. Some nations are cautious about actions that could escalate tensions with Russia, and there are differing opinions within the alliance regarding the pace of Ukraine’s membership.
US President Biden acknowledged the lack of unanimity within NATO on Ukraine’s immediate membership in a recent CNN interview. Zelenskiy also conceded that Ukraine’s ability to join NATO while at war with Russia presents challenges, as Putin has warned of unspecified measures if Ukraine becomes a NATO member.
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