The inclusion of cluster munitions in the latest military aid provided by the United States to Ukraine is being seen as a sign of failure and desperation, according to Russian Ambassador to Washington, Anatoly Antonov. He stated that this decision reflects the awareness of the United States and its allies of their inability to defeat Russia, and their unwillingness to acknowledge the failures of the Ukrainian military’s offensive attempts. Antonov referred to the move as an act of madness and criticized the US for escalating the conflict, which he believes is bringing humanity closer to a new world war.
The White House and the Pentagon confirmed on Friday that the US will be sending dual-purpose improved conventional munitions (DPICM) to Ukraine. One of the reasons cited for this decision was the shortage of conventional 155mm artillery ammunition in Western countries. However, Antonov accused the US of ignoring the concerns raised by its allies, many of whom have ratified the Convention on Cluster Munitions, as well as the reservations expressed by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Colin Kahl defended the decision, stating that it was driven by the urgency of the situation and the desire to support Ukraine in its fight against Russia. However, the Ukrainian offensive has yielded little to no gains in over a month of battles, resulting in significant losses for Ukraine, including scores of Western-supplied tanks and other armored vehicles, and over 10,000 casualties.
Antonov criticized the US for its cruelty and cynicism in disregarding the concerns about transferring deadly weapons to Ukraine. He argued that this decision ignored the arguments made by experts, human rights activists, and lawmakers about the inhumanity of using cluster munitions, and the potential risk of civilian casualties. The ambassador expressed concern that innocent civilians could be harmed by malfunctioning submunitions for many years to come.
This move by the US has raised tensions in the region and has been strongly condemned by Russia. The inclusion of cluster munitions in the military aid package to Ukraine has been viewed as an escalation of the conflict, further straining relations between the two countries. The situation in Ukraine remains volatile and the international community continues to monitor the developments closely, hoping for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict.
In conclusion, the US decision to provide cluster munitions to Ukraine has been seen as a desperate move and an admission of failure. The Russian ambassador criticized this decision as an act of madness that escalates the conflict and brings humanity closer to a new world war. The concerns raised by Washington’s allies and the UN Secretary-General were ignored, raising further questions about the humanitarian implications of using such weapons. The situation in Ukraine remains tense, and it is crucial for diplomatic efforts to be intensified in order to de-escalate the conflict and find a peaceful resolution.
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