President Joe Biden May Give Ukraine Weapons Banned by the U.S. Allies

Credit: Pexels

Biden’s Ukraine Dilemma: To Arm or To Ally?

President Joe Biden and his team have grappled with a challenging dilemma for over six months: whether to allow Ukrainian forces to deplete their ammunition supplies or to supply them with cluster munitions, weapons widely banned due to their significant harm to civilians, particularly children.

On the cusp of a decision, Biden finds himself at odds with his closest allies, who have committed to an international treaty prohibiting using, stockpiling, or transferring cluster munitions. Last week, during a meeting of top national security officials, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and other key advisers urged Biden to move forward with supplying Ukraine with cluster munitions, despite their own reservations. Individuals familiar with the discussions, who wished to remain anonymous, disclosed these details.

The State Department had initially resisted this course of action due to concerns about humanitarian consequences and the potential for a major divergence from allied nations’ positions. However, the administration now appears to perceive limited alternatives.

Ukraine, itself employing cluster munitions in the conflict, is rapidly depleting its conventional artillery ammunition, and establishing alternative production channels will take time.

Breaking News: President Biden appears on the verge of providing cluster munitions to Ukraine, despite a treaty signed by many allies that bans such weapons.https://t.co/cWGQ1w2nn7

— The New York Times (@nytimes) July 7, 2023

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has persistently pressured Biden, arguing that cluster munitions, which disperse deadly submunitions, are crucial for targeting entrenched Russian forces impeding Ukraine’s counteroffensive and territorial recovery. A US official confirmed on Thursday that these weapons are deemed “100 percent necessary” to address the current battlefield requirements.

Nevertheless, Biden and his team have postponed a decision, hoping that the war’s tide would turn in Ukraine’s favor. A key concern has been the potential loss of moral high ground by employing weapons condemned by the international community and frequently utilized by Russia.

The administration also recognizes the substantial unpopularity of supplying these weapons to Ukraine among allies and even within Biden’s own party. Over the years, many Democrats have actively advocated for a ban on the use of cluster munitions by US troops. When queried about Russia’s deployment of unconventional weaponry, including cluster munitions, during the early stages of the conflict, former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki commented, “We have seen the reports. If true, it could potentially be considered a war crime.”

The decision on whether to supply cluster munitions to Ukraine carries considerable implications. While Biden’s aides argue for their necessity, the move risks alienating key allies and provoking criticism from within his own party.