President Joe Biden has landed in the UK ahead of the upcoming NATO summit in Lithuania, marking a significant visit amidst concerns surrounding his decision to send cluster bombs to Ukraine. As allies question the move, the President’s meetings and discussions with UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will take center stage during his brief stopover in Britain.
President Joe Biden‘s arrival in the UK has stirred a wave of controversy due to his call to supply cluster bombs to Ukraine. The UK and Canada, among other allies, have expressed reservations about providing these banned weapons, citing the potential harm they pose to civilians.
Despite the concerns raised by NATO partners, the US argues that the cluster bombs are necessary to address Ukraine’s depleting weapon stocks. The situation is expected to be a focal point during the discussions between President Biden and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, scheduled for Monday.
Prime Minister Sunak, while refraining from direct criticism of President Biden, emphasized the UK’s commitment as one of the 123 countries signed up to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, an international treaty banning the production and use of such weapons. The Prime Minister is likely to address this issue during their meeting.
The controversy surrounding the cluster bomb decision has escalated as several NATO allies, including New Zealand, voiced their opposition. Concerns primarily revolve around the indiscriminate harm caused by cluster bombs, which release numerous smaller bomblets over a wide area. The presence of unexploded bomblets further raises safety concerns for civilians.
Germany, also a signatory to the ban on cluster bombs, acknowledged the American position while affirming its decision not to supply such weapons to Ukraine. However, Canada, Spain, and New Zealand have strongly opposed the use of cluster bombs in Ukraine, emphasizing the need to protect innocent people.
President Biden’s visit to the UK takes place amidst critical discussions and preparations for the NATO summit in Vilnius. The agenda includes discussions on boosting ammunition stockpiles and reviewing defense plans. Finland, attending its first summit since joining in April, will participate, while Sweden’s plans to join have been blocked by Turkey due to accusations of harboring terrorists.
Ukraine, which aspires to join NATO, acknowledges that its membership cannot be realized until the war is over, aligning with NATO’s longstanding policy. President Volodymyr Zelensky’s attendance at the summit signals Ukraine’s commitment to its NATO ambitions once the war concludes.
President Joe Biden’s visit to the UK amidst the controversy over the cluster bomb decision and ongoing NATO discussions highlights the delicate nature of international alliances. While potential disagreements persist, President Biden’s brief stopover in Britain aims to strengthen diplomatic ties and foster fruitful discussions with allies like the UK.
