The move signifies the latest escalation of the war in Ukraine.
The United States have agreed to provide Ukraine with cluster bombs, due to fears that Ukrainian forces are “running out of ammunition”.
The highly controversial form of munitions sees the dispersement of small projectiles from a rocket or missile, and will likely lead to more civilian deaths according to Amnesty International.
Cluster bombs are banned from use in large parts of the world, although not in Ukraine and Russia.
US President Joe Biden labelled the decision “very difficult”, but ultimately stood by his administration’s choice.
President Zelenskyy has thanked the US for its continued military backing. (Credit: Getty Images)Biden has now overseen over $40 billion worth of military spending in Ukraine:
Arguing in favour of the use of cluster bombs, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said that their use would actually prevent civilian deaths, stating;
“There’s a massive risk of civilian harm if Russian troops and tanks roll over Ukrainian positions and take more Ukrainian territory”.
The move to provide the cluster bombs is part of the latest $800 million security package made available to Ukraine, bringing total US military aid to over $40 billion in just 17 months.
Russian officials are yet to issue a response to the move, but it is thought to be viewed as the latest escalation of the war in Ukraine by the West.
Reacting to the news, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the US aid package was “timely, broad and much-needed”, and added that it “will provide new tools for the de-occupation of our land.
President Zelenskyy also this week received the added boost of Turkey agreeing to back its’ membership application to join NATO, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan saying “there is no doubt that Ukraine deserves membership of NATO”.
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