Ukraine is demanding the delivery of internationally banned cluster munitions and controversial phosphorus incendiary weapons. NATO and German politicians reject this. The EU Commission sees the delivery of standard ammunition as a task for the members.
Ukraine’s demand for cluster munitions and phosphorus bombs has met with rejection from NATO and German politicians. The weapons are extremely controversial internationally and some are even banned. “NATO neither recommended nor supplied this type of weapon,” Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told RTL/ntv at the Munich Security Conference. “We supply artillery and other types of weapons, but no cluster bombs.” Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock referred to the principles of international law. Green politician Anton Hofreiter said, “Ukraine demands everything. I think this demand is wrong.”
When asked whether a stop sign had to be put up here, Hofreiter said on RTL/ntv: “Yes, of course.” Just because Kiev demands something doesn’t mean it has to be implemented. This “in my opinion unwise demand arises from desperation because what is promised is not sufficiently implemented – a good example is the Leopard 2”. said the chairman of the Europe Committee of the German Bundestag.
Germany, Poland and Portugal have pledged Leopard 2 main battle tanks to Ukraine. Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s announcement that Kiev would be equipped with tanks for two battalions cannot be fulfilled at the moment because numerous other countries have previously advocated a delivery but are now holding back.
When asked about these weapons, Foreign Minister Baerbock said Ukraine was defending its freedom and the European peace order “and we support them in this.” But she added: “We are guided by our European peace order, we are guided by the Charter of the United Nations, we are guided by international humanitarian law.” Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said that he had not been asked about the request.
Linke leader Janine Wissler said the demand had to be “rejected sharply”. “Anyone who supplies such weapons can never claim to defend international law or to provide legitimate help for national defense,” she said.
At the Munich Security Conference, the Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Olexander Kubrakow called for cluster munitions and phosphorus firearms – the use of both weapons is very controversial, and cluster munitions are banned under international law. “It’s our territory.” He understands the difficulties due to conventions, but this type of ammunition can help to withstand the attackers. Like Russia, his country wants to use this “type of ordnance,” he said. The former world boxing champion and brother of the mayor of Kiev, Wladimir Klitschko, said on RTL/ntv that it was about “stopping the war, whatever that is, whatever the means.”
Cluster munitions are rockets and bombs that burst in mid-air over the target, releasing many small explosive devices. Russia is accused of using cluster munitions in Ukraine. Phosphorus ammunition can cause severe burns and poisoning.
EU Commission chief Ursula van der Leyen also reacted negatively. This is not an issue for which the EU is responsible. It is important for the community “that Ukraine gets the support that it has received from us over the past twelve months.” This included help with the energy supply, financial aid and support with accommodation and care for the more than four million refugees from the country. “Of course we are also ready to initiate a European process for standard ammunition, which Ukraine urgently needs.” This affects, for example, agreements with the defense industry.
Germany and most other European countries were among the roughly 110 signatories to the Oslo Accords, which bans the use, transport, production and storage of cluster bombs. Russia and Ukraine, but also the USA and several EU states and countries in the Western Balkans have not yet ratified the agreement.
