"It was a difficult decision on my part, but they need it" - Joe Biden on sending cluster munitions to Ukraine

US President Joe Biden has commented on the decision to provide Ukraine with cluster munitions. He called this decision a difficult one.

Joe Biden said this in an interview with CNN.

The US President discussed the decision to transfer this type of ammunition to Ukraine with allies and representatives of Congress. 

"This is a war relating to munitions. And they’re running out of that ammunition, and we’re low on it," Biden said in an interview with CNN. 

He added that the decision to transfer the ammunition to Ukraine was a recommendation of the Ministry of Defense. The decision is not permanent until the US receives more 155mm weapons, these shells, for the Ukrainians.

"But the main thing is they either have the weapons to stop the Russians now – keep them from stopping the Ukrainian offensive through these areas – or they don’t. And I think they needed them [cluster munitions]," Biden said.

Cluster munitions are banned in more than 100 countries because they scatter munitions over large areas that may not explode on impact and can pose a long-term danger to anyone who comes into contact with them, similar to landmines. 

However, the United States and Ukraine have not signed the ban. 

According to Human Rights Watch, the Russian army has been using cluster munitions on a massive scale in its war against Ukraine.