MADRID: The Spanish defence minister, Margarita Robles, stated on Saturday that cluster bombs should not be sent to Ukraine, following the announcement by the United States that it would provide such weapons to Kyiv to support its counter-offensive against Russian forces.
Cluster munitions are banned by over 100 countries, including Spain, due to their indiscriminate nature and the long-lasting danger they pose. These munitions typically release numerous smaller bomblets that can cause harm over a wide area. Unexploded ordnance remains a threat for decades.
Robles, speaking during a rally in Madrid ahead of the national election on July 23, emphasized Spain’s firm commitment to Ukraine while also affirming that certain weapons and bombs should not be delivered under any circumstances. She stated, “No to cluster bombs and yes to the legitimate defense of Ukraine, which we understand should not be carried out with cluster bombs.”
Use of Cluster Bombs
The decision to send cluster bombs was made by the United States government and not by NATO, of which Spain is a member. There is widespread support among Spanish political parties for backing Ukraine and providing military aid in the conflict.
It is worth noting that neither Russia, Ukraine, nor the United States have signed the Convention on Cluster Munitions, an international treaty that prohibits the production, stockpiling, use, and transfer of these weapons.
In response to concerns about the use of cluster munitions, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan stated that Ukraine had provided written assurances that they would be used in a cautious manner to minimize risks to civilians.
President Joe Biden, when asked why the cluster munitions were being provided now, explained to reporters that it was due to the exhaustion of ammunition in the effort to defend against Russia.
The Spanish defence minister’s stance aligns with the global condemnation of cluster munitions and reflects Spain’s commitment to upholding international norms and regulations regarding the use of such weapons.
