The United States has taken a further step in the war in Ukraine, by deciding to deliver cluster munitions to Kiev, which kill indiscriminately and are banned in many countries, particularly in Europe.
This is an escalation that worries humanitarian organizations. The United States guaranteed to Ukraine, Friday, July 7, the delivery of cluster munitions, a decision welcomed by Volodymyr Zelensky despite the danger of such bombs for civilian populations. On the eve of the 500th day of the Russian invasion, the Ukrainian president has also been active on the files of his country’s accession to NATO and the future of the agreement on Ukrainian cereals concluded there. one year old. Here’s what to remember from the day’s news.
US promises cluster munitions to Ukraine
The United States announced new military aid to Ukraine, including armored vehicles, anti-tank weapons, but above all, for the first time, cluster munitions. These so-called cluster munitions scatter or release small explosive charges, the number of which can range from a few dozen to more than 600. Many countries have banned their use and production under the Oslo Convention on 2008, of which neither the United States, Russia, nor Ukraine are parties.
The White House has assured that the Ukrainians had provided guarantees “in writing” on the use they would make of these weapons to minimize “the risks posed to civilians”often the main victims of these munitions which can explode years after their use. US President Joe Biden said he took a “very difficult decision” delivering such weapons. “It’s an ammunition war. And they (the Ukrainians) are running out of ammunition and our stocks are running out”, he justified. His Ukrainian counterpart immediately expressed his “gratification to the American people” and its president.
Ukraine asked to wait again at NATO’s door
A few days before the NATO summit in Vilnius, on July 11 and 12, Washington dampened the hopes of Volodymyr Zelensky, who was hoping to obtain Western support for his country’s entry into the Alliance. Kyiv “still has many steps to go through before you can become a member”, warned the White House. The leaders of the member countries of NATO will reaffirm their intention to eventually integrate Ukraine into the Alliance, but the exact wording of this commitment is the subject of intense negotiations, admitted the secretary general of the NATO. organization, Jens Stoltenberg.
On a visit to Slovakia, before going to Turkey, Volodymyr Zelensky castigated the lack of unity within NATO on the question of the accessions of Sweden and Ukraine. “I think there is not enough unity in this area. And it is a threat to the strength of the Alliance (…) It is very important for the security of the whole world”, did he declare. Russia relies on “the weakness and disunity of the Alliance”he hammered.
Zelensky in Türkiye to save the grain deal
For the first time since last summer, and for his first visit to Turkey since the start of the war with Russia in February 2022, Volodymyr Zelensky had a long meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who maintains ties close to both Kiev and Moscow. The two leaders were to focus on the Ukrainian grain export deal across the Black Sea.
The grain deal, reached in July 2022 with the sponsorship of the United Nations and Turkey, expires on July 17 and Russia has said it sees no reason to extend it. The Kremlin claimed to follow “closely” discussions in Istanbul, promising to maintain a “constructive partnership with Ankara” and saluting the “role of mediator” of the Turkish President. Following his meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky, Recep Tayyip Erdogan judged that Russia and Ukraine “should return to peace talks”.