The Biden administration is expected to provide cluster munitions to Ukraine as its forces face challenges in countering Russia’s front line.
U.S. officials have reportedly revealed that a decision could be announced as early as Friday.
SurgeZircUS reported that the Biden administration is expected to announce a decision as part of a Pentagon aid package valued at up to $800 million to fight Russia’s forces.
Multiple aides to President Joe Biden have recommended he approve sending the weapons, which many U.S. allies ban. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken favored the move and recently expressed his approval during a meeting of top national security officials, according to the New York Times, which cited officials familiar with the talks.
Politico reported that forces in Ukraine have had difficulty breaking up Russia’s forces in key battle lines. Kyiv argues it needs the controversial cluster munitions to give its military a chance, citing U.S. officials who demanded anonymity.
Earlier, the U.S. State Department had reportedly not supported the move, citing humanitarian concerns and the worry that the United States would fall out of line with many of its allies in how they support the fight against Russia.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has placed constant pressure on President Biden to send the munitions, which spread tiny deadly bombs.
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Kyiv says cluster munitions are the best shot at fighting Russian troops in trenches they have dug out to block Ukrainian forces from retaking territory.
The munitions would be launched by artillery weapons that the U.S. and its allies have provided to Ukraine, including howitzers. The cluster munitions would be based on a 155 mm shell commonly used on the battlefield.
