President Joe Biden has spoken out about the "difficult decision" to provide Ukraine with cluster munitions for the first time, stating that he was convinced to send the weapons due to Ukraine's ammunition needs in its counteroffensive against Russia.
The White House announced the approval of the transfer on Friday, marking another instance where the US has provided weapons to Ukraine after initial hesitation. Biden emphasized that Ukraine is running out of ammunition and highlighted the importance of supporting their efforts.
The cluster munitions will be compatible with US-provided 155mm howitzers, which have played a crucial role in Ukraine's territorial gains. Biden said that the cluster munitions were being sent as a “transition period” until the US is able to produce more 155mm artillery.
While the munitions are banned by over 100 countries under the Convention on Cluster Munitions, both the US and Ukraine are not signatories to the ban.
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