The US State Department spokesperson, Matthew Miller, explained that Washington’s decision to provide cluster munitions to Ukraine was tied to Kyiv’s ongoing counteroffensive. The briefing clarified that the move reflects the immediate military needs on the ground and the strains on Ukrainian artillery stocks.
According to Miller, Ukraine is engaged in a counteroffensive that demands substantial artillery fire. He noted that Kyiv has begun to experience shortages of certain artillery shells and other munitions essential to sustained operations.
Earlier, Miller emphasized that the United States supports ensuring that Turkey’s bid to join the European Union does not hinder Sweden’s accession to NATO, underscoring alliance considerations during the process.
The briefing also touched on the challenges of controlling weapons once they leave the United States. Acknowledging a leak from the State Department, Miller cited that standard verification measures can be impractical or impossible in some cases, signaling awareness at the White House of the risks associated with the spread of Western-supplied weapons to Ukraine.
These themes connect to prior NATO discussions about Ukrainian planning and security needs, highlighting how alliance members evaluate deliverables, verification, and the broader strategic implications of military assistance in the region.