According to Coalition Board Vice Chairman Paul Hannon, the decision by US President Joe Biden’s administration to transfer cluster munitions “will contribute to the appalling loss of life among Ukrainian civilians, both immediately (after use, ed.), as for many years.”
Hannon stressed that the use of cluster munitions exacerbates the already widespread contamination of Ukraine with explosive remnants and land mines.
The statement notes that states party to the convention on cluster munitions must oppose any transfer and use of this type of weapon. The coalition also called on the parties to the conflict in Ukraine not to use these weapons “due to the foreseeable harm to the civilian population.”
The US intention to supply the kyiv authorities with cluster munitions became known on Friday. This was reported in the administration of US President Joe Biden, noting that they recognize the risks to the civilian population that the use of this type of projectile entails.
As US Assistant Secretary of Defense for Political Affairs Colin Cole pointed out, the danger of using cluster bombs on civilians does not outweigh concern about Russia’s victory in the Ukraine conflict.
