Mr. Biden has authorized the shipment of cluster munitions, controversial within the alliance, to fill the gap until more shells can be produced for Ukrainian artillery — and, though it was left unsaid, to better be able to destroy Russians in their deeply dug trenches.
The concern is that the munitions create a post-conflict hazard much like land mines.
“Duds” that are scattered around the battlefield can explode years later, often when children pick them up.
Mr. Sullivan noted on Friday that signatories to the treaty cannot ship them to Ukraine or help the United States in doing so, but he said that they did not vocally oppose Mr. Biden’s decision.
In fact, Mr. Biden has received more criticism from some members of his own party than from the members of the treaty.
Persons:
Vladimir V, Putin, Mr, Biden, Jake Sullivan, Biden’s, Germany —, Sullivan
Organizations:
NATO, Cluster Munitions
Locations:
Moscow, Russia, Britain, France, Germany, United States, Ukraine