The US government wants to supply Ukraine with controversial cluster munitions to defend it against Russia. It was a difficult decision, but US President Joe Biden made the decision, said National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan. The United States has so far hesitated to supply cluster munitions, even though Ukraine has been demanding the bombs for a long time. Fredy Gsteiger, SRF’s diplomatic correspondent, answers the most important questions about the delicate project.
How did the US change course?
Recently, Kiev has demanded the delivery of cluster bombs with increasing emphasis. Ammunition is currently extremely scarce on the Ukrainian side. The Ukrainians have largely exhausted their own cluster bomb arsenals; the West is unable to supply them quickly with as much other ammunition as they need. In addition, the Americans believe or at least claim that they have developed cluster bombs that are said to have hardly any duds.
Legend:
Like landmines, duds from cluster bombs still cause deaths and serious injuries years after a war. If the US data is correct, at least this risk would be reduced.
Keystone/EPA/Maria Senovilla
Why are cluster mines so important for Ukraine?
Mainly because their counter-offensive to liberate the Russian-held territories is progressing with difficulty. A big problem is the heavily fortified Russian defense lines that they have been building for months. These are apparently difficult to crack. The Ukrainians hope that the cluster bombs could be just the weapon that will allow a more decisive advance.
Why are cluster bombs internationally banned?
On the one hand, this is due to the danger of duds. On the other hand, when deployed, they are divided into hundreds, even thousands, of sub-bombs. In the process, civilians are often – and almost inevitably – killed as well. Cluster bombs are not precision weapons, but wreak havoc on an area the size of 40 to 50 football pitches. The Geneva Conventions on the Humanitarian Law of War prohibit weapons that cannot be used to distinguish between civilians and combatants.
Legend:
In addition to land mines and cluster bombs, weapons of mass destruction such as nuclear, chemical and biological weapons do not conform to international law. Because their use affects civilians as well as combatants. Image: Unexploded Israeli Air Force cluster bomb in Lebanon (2006).
Keystone/AP/Mohammed Zaatari
Why is a ban not enforced worldwide?
Since 2008 there has been an agreement prohibiting the use of cluster munitions. 111 countries have ratified the ban, and twelve more have at least signed it. However, the USA has not signed this agreement, nor have dozens of other countries. These include Ukraine and the major powers Russia and China. This is because cluster bombs are considered a very effective weapon from a military point of view.
Legend:
Russia and Ukraine have both used cluster bombs on multiple occasions in the current war. Image: Ukrainian soldier picks up the shell of a cluster bomb after the Russian invasion.
Reuters/Mykola Tymchenko
What are the consequences of the US decision?
Most of the NATO member countries have ratified the cluster bomb ban. So the western alliance on the side of Ukraine does not share the same stance on a key issue. And: The delivery weakens the moral authority of the Americans. So far it has only been the Russians who have blatantly violated international law in this conflict. The Americans stayed on the legal, legal side. Now they should be heavily denounced. Because just because you haven’t signed an agreement, you can’t do whatever you want.