In a shocking display of hypocrisy, and to a chorus of international dissent, the Biden administration has approved the shipment of cluster munitions to Ukraine, despite their previous condemnation of these devastating weapons.
The Biden administration announced on Friday the latest weapons package to Ukraine – said to be worth $800 million and would include cluster munitions. Biden later gave an interview with CNN. He defended sending cluster bombs to Ukraine, and admitted OUT LOUD AND ON TV that the United States military is low on 155mm artillery.
Biden lets slip during interview US low on artillery ammunition rounds as it tries to aid Ukraine, sparking backlash: ‘We’re low on it’ https://t.co/lbkCrrGgqi pic.twitter.com/SXAQNTH78j
— New York Post (@nypost) July 10, 2023
“This is a war relating to munitions. And they’re running out of that ammunition, and we’re low on it,” Biden told Fareed Zakaria. “And so, what I finally did, I took the recommendation of the Defense Department to – not permanently – but to allow for this transition period, while we get more 155 weapons, these shells, for the Ukrainians.”
“They’re trying to get through those trenches and stop those tanks from rolling. But it was not an easy decision,” Biden claimed. “We’re not signatories to that agreement, but it took me a while to be convinced to do it.”
This decision raises serious concerns about the administration’s commitment to human rights and international law. How can they justify providing such destructive tools when just a year ago, they labeled their use as a potential war crime? This move not only undermines their credibility but also puts countless innocent lives at risk.
The Horrors of Cluster Bombs: Cluster bombs, also known as cluster munitions, are indiscriminate weapons that disperse numerous smaller submunitions, or bomblets, over a wide area. Their lack of precision often leads to unintended civilian casualties and infrastructure damage. What’s worse, unexploded bomblets pose a persistent danger to civilians long after conflicts have ended, as seen in various war-torn regions around the world.
The Administration’s Previous Stance: The Biden administration, like many nations, had previously taken a strong position against cluster bombs. They even declared that their use could constitute a war crime. This principled stand was meant to protect innocent civilians from the horrific consequences of these weapons. Yet, their recent decision to provide cluster munitions to Ukraine flies in the face of their earlier condemnation.
Did Biden reveal national-defense information?
— 🇺🇸 Mike Davis 🇺🇸 (@mrddmia) July 10, 2023
Did he ask permission from any bureaucrat who works for him?
Did he jump through their bureaucratic hoops?
Why not a violation of the Espionage Act?
He’s the President.
Like Trump, when he lawfully took his presidential records. https://t.co/khFpQoFzHc
International Consensus against Cluster Bombs: The Convention on Cluster Munitions, which has been signed by 123 countries, explicitly prohibits the stockpiling, production, and transfer of cluster bombs. This global consensus recognizes the indiscriminate nature of these weapons and their severe impact on civilian populations. It is disheartening to note that the United States, Ukraine, and Russia have not joined this vital international agreement, thus disregarding the widespread condemnation of cluster munitions.
Mary Wareham, acting arms director at Human Rights Watch, said, “The U.S. government should not be providing cluster munitions to any country due to the foreseeable and lasting harm to civilians from these weapons. Transferring cluster munitions disregards the substantial danger they pose to civilians and undermines the global effort to ban them.”
The U.K. and Spain have come out against Biden shipping cluster munition to Ukraine.
Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles told reporters on Saturday, “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. No to cluster bombs and yes to the legitimate defense of Ukraine, which we understand should not be carried out with cluster bombs.”
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak declared, “We will continue to do our part to support Ukraine against Russia’s illegal and unprovoked invasion, but we’ve done that by providing heavy battle tanks and most recently long-range weapons, and hopefully all countries can continue to support Ukraine.”
Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. blasted Biden for sending cluster bombs to Ukraine.
Cluster bombs are munitions so horrific for civilians that more than a hundred nations have signed an international treaty banning them. Now the Biden administration is preparing to send them to Ukraine.https://t.co/Ck2gSm0SOj
— Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) July 7, 2023
Justification Doesn’t Hold Water: The administration attempts to justify this decision by claiming that Russia has been using cluster munitions against Ukraine, and therefore, Ukraine needs them to defend its territory only perpetuates the cycle of violence and increases the risk to civilians. It is contradictory to suggest that Ukraine should adopt the same destructive tactics employed by Russia, especially when there are alternative means to defend its territory without endangering innocent lives.
Neglecting Diplomacy and Alternatives: President Biden’s promise of prioritizing diplomacy seems to have vanished when it comes to Ukraine. By resorting to the use of cluster munitions, the administration shows a lack of commitment to peaceful resolution and the pursuit of diplomatic alternatives. Instead of engaging in talks and proposing favorable peace terms, they have chosen to escalate the conflict by providing more weapons. This approach does not align with his alleged values of diplomacy and raises concerns about the true motives behind this decision.
The Biden administration’s devastating decision to send cluster munitions to Ukraine represents a significant departure from their previously declared stance against these weapons. Who knows what the Zelensky Administration has on him. It is a betrayal of his sworn commitment to protect innocent lives and uphold international humanitarian law. Not only does it undermine his credibility, it sends a dangerous message that the end justifies the means. It also suggests that Biden is still in the pocket of the thugs that run Ukraine.