Sunak challenges use of cluster bombs after Biden agrees to send them to Ukraine

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Rishi Sunak made it clear that Britain "advises against" the use of cluster munitions after Joe Biden agreed to send the bombs to Ukraine to help fight Russia.

The Prime Minister highlighted on Saturday that the UK was one of 123 signatories to a convention banning their use after the US president made the "difficult decision ".

Mr. Sunak, who will meet Mr Biden in London on Monday ahead of a NATO summit, said Britain was instead supporting Kiev by providing tanks and long-range weapons.

Rishi Sunak made him not voice his support for the US president's decision

(PA Wire)

Mr. Biden has been criticized for providing the ammunition that is banned by many defense alliance allies due to their track record of civilian killings.

The president has sought to justify the bombs as being needed because "the Ukrainians are running out of ammunition" and they will be a temporary measure to stop Moscow's tanks.

But Mr Sunak chose not to back the move during a partial election campaign in Selby, emphasizing the UK's commitment to the Convention on Cluster Munitions.

"Well, the UK is a signatory to a convention that prohibits the production or use munitions and discourages their use,” he told broadcasters.

“We will continue to do our part to support Ukraine against the illegal and unprovoked invasion of Russia, but we did it by providing a fierce battle of tanks and, more recently, long-range weapons, and I hope that all countries can continue to support Ukraine.

"Russia's act of barbarism is causing untold suffering to millions of people.

"It is true that we are collectively resisting it and I will be going to the NATO summit next week in Vilnius, where we will discuss exactly this with our allies to find out how we can strengthen our support for Ukraine.

The United States has argued that Kiev has assured that it will not use cluster bombs in urban areas, but some NATO allies will certainly be worried about their transfer.< /p>

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked the United States for the vast and much-needed defense assistance program...