UPDATE - White House says US is providing Ukraine with cluster munitions

ADDS MORE DETAILS

By Servet Gunerigok

WASHINGTON (AA) – The White House said on Friday that the US is providing cluster munitions to Ukraine.

"We consulted closely with allies in deciding to do this and some allies, who are not signatories to the Oslo Convention, embraced it with open arms and this is absolutely the right thing to do," National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said at a press briefing.

He said that Ukraine has provided written assurances to use the munitions "in a very careful way, that is aimed at minimizing any risk to civilians."

Sullivan stressed that the US will not leave Ukraine "defenseless" in the conflict with Russia.

"Ukraine would not be using these munitions in some foreign land. This is their country they're defending," said Sullivan.

He also acknowledged the potential risk of civilian harm caused by unexploded ordnance from cluster munitions.

"This is why we've deferred the decision for as long as we could. But there is also a massive risk of civilian harm if Russian troops and tanks roll over Ukrainian positions and take more Ukrainian territory and subjugate more Ukrainian civilians, because Ukraine does not have enough artillery. That is intolerable to us," Sullivan said.

Shortly after Sullivan's remarks, Pentagon recalled that Russia has been using cluster munitions indiscriminately since the start of the war to attack Ukraine.

"By contrast, Ukraine is seeking DPICM (Dual-Purpose Conventional Improved Munitions) rounds in order to defend its own sovereign territory," Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Colin Kahl told reporters at Pentagon.

He said that the DPICM rounds the US will provide Ukraine have a low failure or dud rates, adding that "the DPICM ammunition we're delivering to Ukraine will consist only of those with a dud rate less than 2.35%."

Kahl said that Russia has been using cluster munitions across Ukraine with dud rates of between 30% and 40%.

The provision of cluster munitions is announced as part of 42nd drawdown for Ukraine.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Friday's package also includes additional precision aerial munitions, munitions for multiple launch rocket systems, 155mm howitzers, 155mm and 105mm artillery ammunition, air defense munitions, anti-tank missiles and rockets, more armored Bradley and Stryker vehicles, and other equipment essential to strengthening Ukraine's brave forces on the battlefield and helping them retake Ukraine's sovereign territory and defend their fellow citizens.

"This package contains critical security assistance totaling $800 million worth of arms and equipment from Department of Defense stocks," said Blinken.

The top US diplomat reiterated that it was Moscow that started the war against Ukraine, and that it "could end it at any time by withdrawing its forces from Ukraine and stopping its brutal attacks against Ukraine's cities and people."