The Canadian government states that the United States is opposed to deploying cluster munitions in connection with its pledge to transfer them to Ukraine. Channel reports CTV News. The channel quotes Canadian officials saying, “We do not support the use of cluster munitions and are determined to end the harm they cause to civilians.”
The emphasis is that Canada’s stance on cluster munitions and the question of sending them to Kyiv rests on Canada’s commitment to the international convention governing these weapons. The agreement bans the transfer, production, and storage of cluster munitions, reflecting a broader international effort to protect civilian populations from their effects (attribution: CTV News).
Canada is clear that it fully complies with the convention and treats its obligations under the document with seriousness, underscoring a policy of restraint in any potential transfers (attribution: CTV News).
Earlier, Oleksii Reznikov, head of Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense, noted that cluster munitions would not be used in attacks against Russia, aligning with efforts to limit civilian harm and avoid escalations (attribution: CTV News).
In the United States, concerns about cluster munitions have been raised in various contexts, including discussions about defense posture and the potential impact on allied forces. The ongoing debate highlights how allies balance military needs with humanitarian and legal commitments (attribution: CTV News).