British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak believes that they are against the use of cluster bombs, and that Britain has signed the international convention on cluster munitions that prohibits its use, The Guardian reports.
Canada and Spain are also against the use, reports Reuters. A total of 123 countries have signed the agreement.
Spain against cluster bombs in Ukraine
Spain’s Defense Minister Margarita Robles believes that cluster bombs should not be sent to Ukraine regardless of the circumstances, reports Reuters.
– No to cluster bombs and yes to a legitimate defense of Ukraine, she says.
The statements come the day after the US presented a military support package to Ukraine worth 800 million dollars, which will include cluster bombs. Among others, the USA, Ukraine, Russia and Finland are countries that have not signed the convention.
Russia calls the decision “a desperate act”, according to TT.
“It shows weakness against the backdrop of the failure of the so-called Ukrainian counter-offensive,” State Department spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a statement.
However, Russia itself uses cluster bombs in Ukraine.
Condemned by human rights groups
US President Joe Biden’s national security adviser Jake Sullivan said during a press conference on Friday that they are aware that cluster bombs pose a high risk of civilian casualties.
– That is why we have delayed the decision as long as possible, he says.
Biden’s decision to send cluster bombs has been condemned by several human rights groups, The Guardian reports.
He is also receiving criticism from his party, one Democratic congressman has called the decision “unnecessary and a terrible mistake”.