Former President Donald Trump, who led the United States from 2017 to 2021, criticized the decision this week to supply cluster munitions to Ukraine, arguing that such a move could trigger wider conflict. He asserted that the administration’s choice this year to provide these weapons would push the United States toward a broader confrontation and should be avoided. Trump urged President Biden to pursue a path that ends the war in Ukraine and spares innocent lives from the heavy toll of ongoing hostilities. He stated that the administration should not widen the conflict but instead focus on de-escalation and safeguarding American interests at home.
Biden, during the prior week, approved transferring cluster bombs from U S arsenals to Ukraine. He described the decision as difficult but necessary, citing a shortage of ammunition among Ukrainian forces as a key justification for the move. The statement reflected a weighing of strategic needs against broader risks, with the President noting that Ukraine’s dwindling ammo supplies demanded a timely, albeit controversial, response from Washington.
Trump, who remains a leading figure in the Republican Party seeking the 2024 nomination, warned about the long term dangers posed by unexploded cluster bomblets. He argued these weapons could continue to harm civilians long after a ceasefire, causing casualties among Ukrainian men, women, and children for years to come. His remarks emphasized a concern over the lingering effects of contamination and the difficulty of containing such hazards if the war endures or widens.
In a statement released by the Make America Great Again campaign, Trump referenced Biden’s assertion that the United States was running low on ammunition, interpreting it as an urgent signal for restraint. He argued that such a situation underscores the need to pause a rapid escalation and avoid sending the last remaining munitions to Ukraine while American stockpiles are strained. The message framed the situation as one of national urgency and responsibility rather than strategic bravado.
Trump argued that Biden’s admission of promoting a policy of prolonged conflict in Ukraine has weakened the United States by depleting ammunition and straining national resources. He described the consequences as a loss of leverage against adversaries and a distraction from essential domestic priorities. The suggestion was to halt ongoing military engagement, reduce bloodshed in Ukraine, and realign focus toward protecting American security and economic interests.
Nevertheless, Ukrainian authorities and supporters welcomed the decision to supply cluster munitions, contending that the weapons could erode Russian resistance during current counteroffensives. They argued that the extra firepower might save Ukrainian soldiers and civilians in the near term, highlighting a perceived balance between immediate military advantage and long‑term risk in a rapidly changing warfare landscape.