GOP trio urges Biden to deploy long-range missiles as Ukrainian counteroffensive falters.
President Biden’s Decision to Provide Cluster Munitions to Ukraine Sparks Debate
President Joe Biden’s recent decision to supply Ukraine with cluster munitions has ignited a heated discussion among Republican lawmakers. They argue that this move comes at a critical time when Ukraine’s much-anticipated counteroffensive is at risk of failure.
“The Biden administration cannot stop here,” said House Foreign Affairs Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX) in a joint statement with top Senate Republicans. “This administration’s misguided fear of escalation in long-range missiles as Ukrainian counteroffensive falters.”>providing critical weapon systems… has only served to prolong the war, embolden Vladimir Putin, cost Ukrainian lives, and put the entire Ukrainian counteroffensive at risk of failure.”
Ukraine’s Plea for Further Weapons Aid
This announcement regarding cluster munitions is the latest development in Biden’s decision-making process after months of rejecting Ukrainian requests for weapons. However, this decision has reignited calls for Biden to send long-range missiles to Ukraine, as they are crucial for striking Russian supply lines and arms depots.
“Without long-range weapons, it is difficult not only to fulfill an offensive mission but also to conduct a defensive operation,” emphasized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. “That is why it is important, not only for offensive but also for defensive and offensive actions of our military.”
Despite the lack of significant progress, Ukrainian officials remain optimistic about the effectiveness of their counteroffensive. They have convinced their partners that they are implementing a methodical and effective battle plan to minimize casualties.
However, the Biden administration, aware of the criticism surrounding cluster munitions, framed the transfer as a preemptive measure to prevent a potential disaster.
“We’ve deferred the decision for as long as we could,” explained White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan. “But there is also a massive risk of civilian harm if Russian troops and tanks roll over Ukrainian positions and take more Ukrainian territory. That is intolerable to us.”
Republican Lawmakers’ Demands
While acknowledging that cluster munitions will enhance the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ capabilities, Republican policymakers insist that Biden must also fulfill Zelensky’s other requests. They urge the administration to send ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System) with a similar range to the Storm Shadow cruise missile provided by the United Kingdom and expedite the delivery of F-16s.
When questioned about the long-range missiles, Biden focused on the necessity of providing Ukrainian forces with the means to defend against Russian aggression.
“This is a war relating to munitions. And they’re running out of that ammunition, and we’re low on it,” Biden explained. “But the main thing is they either have the weapons to stop the Russians now or they don’t. And I think they needed them.”
International Response and Treaty Obligations
While the transfer of cluster munitions goes against a treaty signed by 108 countries, including some NATO members, major U.S. allies like France have offered only muted opposition.
“Neither the United States nor Ukraine have signed the Convention on Cluster Munitions and are therefore not bound by its provisions,” stated a French Foreign Ministry spokesperson. “We understand how the United States reached this decision in its wish to help Ukraine pursue its legitimate defense against Russia’s illegal aggression.”
However, the treaty does allow signatories to engage in military cooperation and operations, which could put pressure on Biden to join the British in granting Ukraine’s request for long-range missiles.
As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how President Biden will navigate the complexities of providing further weapons aid to Ukraine while considering international obligations and the potential consequences of such decisions.
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