Germany cannot 'block' sending cluster munitions to Ukraine: President

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
9 Jul 2023 20:34

Germany supports the US decision to provide Ukraine with cluster munitions despite their long-lasting threat.

A man walks past an unexploded tail section of a 300mm rocket which appears to contain cluster bombs, Lugansk region on April 11, 2022 (AFP)

Germany's President Frank-Walter Steinmeier stated that while his country opposes the use of cluster munitions, Berlin should not obstruct the United States from sending them to Kiev in the current situation.

"Germany's position against the use of cluster munitions is as justified as ever. But we cannot, in the current situation, block the United States," said President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in an interview for German broadcaster ZDF.

Steinmeier claimed that if Ukraine loses support or means of defense, it could lead to the country's demise.

"It would be the end of Ukraine," he stated.

The United States recently announced new military aid, including cluster munitions, to "assist Ukraine", causing wide criticism from NGOs and embarrassment for some European nations.

Cluster munitions, which disperse multiple small explosive charges, are banned by several countries, including European signatories of the 2008 Oslo Convention.

Steinmeier, who had signed the convention as Germany's foreign affairs minister, reportedly expressed the need to support the victims of the war.

Russia already warned the US against sending the cluster munitions to Ukraine, and Russian Ambassador to the UN Vassily Nebenzia argued it would count as a bigger step toward escalating the conflict.

Late last month, the US military said that despite it being banned by most countries, supplying Ukraine with cluster bombs could be useful against Russia.