President Joe Biden Visits UK for NATO Summit Sparks Controversy Over Cluster Bombs | BidenUKVisit | NATOsummit | ClusterBombs | UkraineConflict | PresidentBiden | UKVisit | InternationalPolitics | MilitaryAlliance | TransatlanticRelations | GlobalSecurity | ForeignPolicy |
President Biden’s Visit to UK for NATO Summit Sparks Controversy Over Cluster Bombs | BidenUKVisit | NATOsummit | ClusterBombs | UkraineConflict | PresidentBiden | UKVisit | InternationalPolitics | MilitaryAlliance | TransatlanticRelations | GlobalSecurity | ForeignPolicy |
US President Joe Biden has arrived in the UK ahead of an upcoming Nato summit in Lithuania later this week. This visit follows concerns raised by several allies regarding his proposal to provide cluster bombs to Ukraine. Countries such as the UK and Canada have expressed worry due to the inherent danger these bombs pose to civilians, as they are widely banned. Despite the objections, the US argues that Ukraine’s weapon supplies are depleting, necessitating their assistance.
On Monday, Mr Biden is scheduled to meet with UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. The agenda is expected to cover various topics, including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. While Mr Sunak hasn’t directly criticized President Biden’s recent announcement regarding cluster bombs, he did mention on Saturday that the UK is among the 123 countries that have signed the Convention on Cluster Munitions, an international treaty prohibiting the production and use of such weapons.
In contrast, other US allies have taken a stronger stance. New Zealand, a partner nation of Nato, emphasized on Sunday that the deployment of these munitions could lead to “enormous harm to innocent individuals.” Cluster bombs typically release numerous smaller bomblets that can cause indiscriminate casualties over a wide area. Unexploded bomblets also pose a lasting threat on the ground, sometimes detonating years after deployment.
The US claims to have received written assurances from Kyiv that Ukrainian troops will not utilize the weapons in Russia or urban areas. During his stay in the UK, Mr Biden will also have his first meeting with King Charles since the King’s coronation. Following that, members of Nato, a military alliance consisting of 31 Western nations, will convene in Vilnius on Tuesday and Wednesday. The agenda will encompass bolstering ammunition stockpiles and reviewing defense plans.
This summit will mark Finland’s inaugural participation since joining Nato in April, while Sweden’s plans to follow suit have been obstructed by Turkey, which accuses Sweden of harboring terrorists. Mr Biden is expected to seek support from Mr Sunak in brokering a deal with Turkey. Ukraine also aspires to join Nato, but Mr Biden stated in an interview with CNN that this can only happen once the conflict has concluded, aligning with the alliance’s longstanding policy.
Referring to Nato’s mutual defense pact, Mr Biden emphasized that members are committed to protecting each other’s territories entirely, implying that “if the war is ongoing, then we are all at war.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has previously acknowledged this position while expressing the desire for a clear indication that his country will be eligible for Nato membership once the war has ended. He is anticipated to attend this week’s summit.
The US decision to fulfill Ukraine’s request for cluster bombs was made on Friday, forming part of a military aid package worth $800 million (£626 million). Mr Biden acknowledged that it was a “very difficult decision,” but he ultimately acted due to the diminishing ammunition supplies of the Ukrainians. However, several Nato allies quickly distanced themselves from this decision.
Canada and Spain, both Nato member states, echoed New Zealand’s opposition to cluster bombs. Spain’s Defense Minister, Margarita Robles, stated, “No to cluster bombs and yes to Ukraine’s legitimate defense, which should not involve the use of cluster bombs.” However, Germany, another signatory of the cluster munitions treaty and a Nato member, acknowledged the American position while affirming that it would not supply such weapons to Ukraine.
One concern surrounding the supply of cluster bombs is their failure or dud rate, as unexploded bomblets can detonate without discrimination. The US argues that its cluster bombs have a lower failure rate compared to those currently employed by Russia in the Ukrainian conflict. Ukraine has pledged not to use the weapons in civilian areas and has committed to monitoring and reporting their use. However, Russia dismisses these assurances, deeming them worthless.
This visit comes at a critical time for the US-led Nato alliance and may potentially give rise to awkward situations. President Biden’s absence from King Charles’ coronation in May was noted and unintentionally caused offense. Additionally, there is a dispute regarding who should assume the role of the next secretary-general of Nato. While the UK and the Baltic states support the British Defense Secretary, Ben Wallace, due to his instrumental role in garnering Western support for Ukraine, this is unlikely to proceed without US backing. Mr Biden appears to favor Ursula von der Leyen, the former German defense minister and European Commission head.
Furthermore, there is ongoing controversy surrounding the supply of cluster bombs. While the UK, along with 123 other nations, has banned these weapons due to their potential harm to civilians, the US continues to provide them to Ukraine despite international criticism. Nevertheless, considering the brevity of Mr Biden’s stopover in Britain, any underlying tensions within the transatlantic alliance are likely to be amicably resolved through diplomatic protocols and warm handshakes.
