Ukraine calls for cluster munitions and phosphorus bombs

Ukraine wants to use controversial bombs against Russia. This should also include the outlawed cluster munitions.

After battle tanks and fighter jets, Ukraine presented its western allies with a new weapon they wanted to use in the fight against Russia at the Munich Security Conference. Deputy Prime Minister Olexander Kubrakow called for cluster munitions and phosphorus firearms on Friday evening – the use of both weapons is very controversial. Like Russia, his country also wants to use this “type of ordnance”. “It’s our territory.” He understands the difficulties due to conventions, but this type of ammunition can help to withstand the attackers.

Kubrakov was alluding to the fact that the use of cluster munitions is outlawed under international law. Cluster munitions are rockets and bombs that burst in mid-air over the target, releasing many small explosive devices. Phosphorus munitions can cause severe burns and poisoning in humans.

Kubrakov also campaigned again for the delivery of fighter jets. Poland’s Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki made it clear that his country would be ready to deliver fighter jets to Ukraine together with other fighter jets. However, he named a “NATO decision” as a prerequisite for such a step.

Despite the drastic demands, it is unlikely that US Secretary of State Kamala Harris or British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will address them in their eagerly awaited speeches. Harris also wonders how she is going to deal with the balloon affair between the US and China.

Almost two weeks ago, the US military shot down a suspected spy balloon over the Atlantic off the coast of the state of South Carolina. The United States accuses China of wanting to spy on military installations. Beijing, on the other hand, speaks of a civilian research balloon that has gone off course.

It is speculated that she or US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will meet China’s most important foreign policy leader, Wang Yi, on the sidelines of the meeting. There are great tensions in the already strained relationship between China and the USA.

US President Joe Biden defended the shooting down on Friday – but at the same time requested a meeting with China’s head of state and party leader Xi Jinping. However, China reacted coolly to the offer of talks, which is why a meeting in Munich would be of great importance. Wang Yi was only promoted from the Foreign Ministry to the Communist Party’s Politburo in October, and he is also on the list of speakers in Munich.

After the security conference, Yi also wants to visit Moscow. Beijing has been supporting Russia so far – but at the G20 summit in November, together with the western countries, warned against the use of nuclear weapons.

Meanwhile, calls for criminal consequences for Russian President Vladimir Putin have been raised again in Munich. Putin must be held accountable for the crime of aggression, “otherwise history will keep repeating itself,” said Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas on Friday at the security conference, according to the official translation. Republican US Senator Lindsey Graham emphasized: “If Putin gets away with it, then the same thing will happen again in the future.”

The Russian war of aggression has now lasted almost a year. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy opened the conference by video address on Friday and unequivocally called for more arms deliveries, including fighter jets, and for faster decisions by the allies. In contrast to Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD), Selenskyj expressed optimism that he would win the war against Russia this year. The prerequisite for this, however, are the corresponding deliveries of weapons.