President Joe Biden approved the transfer of cluster munitions to Ukraine on Friday, despite concerns over the human rights violations that the weapon poses.
President Joe Biden’s controversial decision to send cluster munitions to Ukraine is a «tragic necessity» in Kyiv’s fight against Russia’s invasion, according to Michael McFaul, former U.S. ambassador to Russia.
The Pentagon announced an additional military package for Ukraine on Friday, which will include «highly effective and reliable» dual-purpose improved conventional munitions (DPICM), or cluster bombs. The weapons, however, have been banned in hundreds of countries due to their strong potential for civilian harm.
During an exclusive interview with CNN’s Fareed Zakaria, Biden said it was a «difficult decision» to approve the transfer of the disputed weapons, but added, «The Ukrainians are running out of ammunition.» The president faced backlash from several within his own party for approving the transfer, including Democratic Representative Barbara Lee, who tweeted Friday that the «U.S. and Ukraine don’t need to stoop to [Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s level» to win the war.
But according to McFaul, the munitions are a «necessity» for Ukraine, which has been making incremental gains in its counteroffensive campaign to reclaim Russian-occupied territory.
