WASHINGTON: Democratic US Senator Tim Kaine and Representative Barbara Lee raised concerns on Sunday over the decision by President Joe Biden’s administration to send cluster bombs to Ukraine to combat the Russian invasion.
Kaine said he had “some real qualms” about the US decision to send cluster bombs to Ukraine because it could inspire other countries to sidestep an international convention barring the munitions.
Cluster munitions are prohibited by over 100 countries. They typically release large numbers of smaller bomblets that can kill indiscriminately over a wide area. Those that fail to explode pose a danger for decades after a conflict ends.
Lee urged the Biden administration to reconsider the step. “Cluster bombs should never be used. That’s crossing a line,” she told CNN, adding the United States risked losing its “moral leadership” by sending cluster bombs to Ukraine.
National security spokesman John Kirby defended the decision saying Russia is using cluster munitions and “indiscriminately killing civilians”, while the Ukrainians will be using them to defend their own territory.
Kaine said he had “some real qualms” about the US decision to send cluster bombs to Ukraine because it could inspire other countries to sidestep an international convention barring the munitions.
Cluster munitions are prohibited by over 100 countries. They typically release large numbers of smaller bomblets that can kill indiscriminately over a wide area. Those that fail to explode pose a danger for decades after a conflict ends.
Lee urged the Biden administration to reconsider the step. “Cluster bombs should never be used. That’s crossing a line,” she told CNN, adding the United States risked losing its “moral leadership” by sending cluster bombs to Ukraine.
National security spokesman John Kirby defended the decision saying Russia is using cluster munitions and “indiscriminately killing civilians”, while the Ukrainians will be using them to defend their own territory.