Joe Biden Arrives in the UK for Meetings with Sunak and King Charles Amidst Ukraine Concerns
US President Joe Biden has arrived in the UK ahead of an upcoming Nato summit in Lithuania later this week. This summit follows concerns raised by several allies regarding Biden's decision to send cluster bombs to Ukraine.
The UK and Canada, among others, have expressed worry over the supply of these bombs, which are widely prohibited due to their threat to civilians. The US argues that they are necessary as Ukraine's weapon reserves are dwindling.
During his visit, President Biden will meet with UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Monday. The two leaders are expected to discuss various topics, including the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Although Mr. Sunak has not directly criticized his US counterpart following the cluster bomb announcement, he mentioned on Saturday that the UK is a signatory to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, an international treaty that bans the production and use of such weapons.
In contrast, other US allies, like New Zealand, have gone further in their opposition. New Zealand, a partner nation of Nato, expressed concerns that the munitions could cause significant harm to innocent civilians.
Cluster bombs typically release numerous smaller bomblets that can cause indiscriminate casualties over a wide area. Unexploded bomblets pose a long-term threat, as they can remain on the ground for years before detonating.
The US asserts that it has received written assurances from Kyiv, stating that Ukrainian forces will not utilize these weapons in Russia or urban areas.
In addition to his meeting with Prime Minister Sunak, President Biden will also have his first encounter with King Charles since the King's coronation.
Following these bilateral engagements, Nato members, comprising a military alliance of 31 Western nations, will convene in Vilnius on Tuesday and Wednesday. The agenda will include discussions on enhancing ammunition stockpiles and reviewing defense plans.
Finland will attend its first summit since joining Nato in April, while Sweden's plans to follow suit have been obstructed by Turkey, which accuses Sweden of harboring terrorists. President Biden is expected to seek support from Prime Minister Sunak in brokering a deal with Turkey.
Ukraine, which aspires to join Nato, awaits the conclusion of the ongoing war. Mr. Biden emphasized this point, citing Nato's longstanding policy that the country's accession is contingent on the conflict's resolution.
Canadian and Spanish opposition to cluster bombs echoes New Zealand's concerns. Spain's Defense Minister Margarita Robles stated, "No to cluster bombs and yes to the legitimate defense of Ukraine, which we understand should not involve cluster bombs."
However, Germany, a signatory of the treaty and a Nato member, indicated that while it would not provide such weapons to Ukraine, it comprehends the American position.
One of the main concerns regarding the supply of cluster bombs is their failure rate. Unexploded bomblets can detonate unpredictably.
The US contends that its cluster bombs have a lower failure rate compared to those already used by Russia in the Ukraine conflict.
While Ukraine has pledged not to use the weapons in civilian areas and has committed to monitoring and reporting their use, Russia dismissed these assurances as unreliable.