London, United Kingdom – In a notable divergence from the United States, British Chancellor Rishi Sunak indicated that the UK would not follow President Joe Biden’s lead in supplying cluster weapons to Ukraine. Sunak made his stance clear just a day after Biden’s controversial decision, expressing the British government’s strong disapproval of the use of these munitions. The potential rift between the transatlantic allies is expected to be a topic of discussion when Prime Minister Boris Johnson meets with President Biden during his brief visit to the UK before both leaders attend the upcoming NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania.
The United Kingdom, as a signatory to the international convention banning the use of cluster bombs, reports BBC, firmly denounces their deployment due to their well-documented history of causing civilian casualties that extend long after conflicts have ceased. Conversely, the United States, while not a signatory to the convention, has chosen to supply these controversial weapons to Ukraine.
During a statement on Saturday, Chancellor Sunak highlighted the provisions of the convention, stating that it “prohibits the production or use of cluster munitions and discourages their use.” Although he did not explicitly criticize Biden’s decision, his remarks underscored the differing positions between the two nations.
Friday’s announcement by US officials regarding the provision of cluster weapons to Ukraine has generated significant controversy and scrutiny. In an interview with CNN, President Biden acknowledged that it was a “very difficult decision” and that it took him some time to be convinced. He argued that Ukrainian forces were running critically low on ammunition, necessitating such a move.
Both the United States and the United Kingdom are major suppliers of weapons to Ukraine, and historically, Sunak and Biden have maintained a largely shared stance on the ongoing conflict. Last month, the two leaders held successful talks in Washington, demonstrating their alignment on various geopolitical issues, including the Aukus pact in the Pacific region.
Ahead of their meeting on Monday, Amanda Sloat, the senior director for Europe at the National Security Council, emphasized that Nato and Ukraine would be the main topics of discussion between Biden and Sunak. “I would imagine that this will be an opportunity for them to touch base on developments and discussions heading into the summit in Vilnius,” Sloat told reporters on Friday. She further noted that it would serve as a chance for both leaders to compare notes on their respective support for Ukraine and ongoing efforts on the battlefield.
While Biden’s primary objective is to visit King Charles at Windsor, this visit is not an official state visit. Given the tight schedule, President Biden will stay overnight at Winfield House, the residence of the US ambassador in Regent’s Park. From there, he will proceed to 10 Downing Street and then travel to Windsor Castle by helicopter before departing from Stansted airport within a few hours.
Despite some criticism over President Biden’s absence at King Charles III’s coronation in May, Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House press secretary, dismissed the concerns, stating that Biden had already congratulated the King during a phone call. It is worth noting that US presidents have not traditionally attended British monarchs’ coronations.
In recent years, one of the key sources of tension between the US and the UK has been the issue of Northern Ireland. However, this strain has somewhat subsided since Sunak reached the Windsor framework deal with the European Union earlier this year. Sloat emphasized President Biden’s commitment to working in partnership with the UK and Ireland, aiming to ensure peace, prosperity, and stability in the broader region.
