We use cookies on this website. By continuing to use this site without changing your cookie settings, you agree that you are happy to accept our privacy policy and for us to access our cookies on your device.
As NATO members prepare for their upcoming summit in Vilnius, the U.S. has again justified its decision to send cluster bombs to Ukraine. The chances of Kyiv joining NATO anytime soon, however, are almost nil, as VOA’s Veronica Balderas Iglesias reports.
Content TypePackage
LanguageEnglish
Transcript/ScriptWASHINGTON WEEK AHEAD))
HEADLINE: Ahead of NATO Summit, US Defends Sending Cluster Bombs to Ukraine
TEASER: Kirby: US sending cluster bombs to Ukraine amid shortage of normal artillery shells
PUBLISHED AT: 07/09/2023 at 3:51 pm
BYLINE: Veronica Balderas Iglesias
CONTRIBUTOR
DATELINE:
VIDEOGRAPHER:
VIDEO EDITOR:
SCRIPT EDITORS: Page sv
VIDEO SOURCE (S): Agencies, see script for others
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO __
TRT: 2:39
VID APPROVED BY: mia
TYPE:
EDITOR NOTES: Radio Tracks for Reversioning Included))
[[RADIO Intro]]
((TV INTRO))
[[As NATO members prepare for their upcoming summit in Vilnius, the U.S. has again justified its decision to send cluster bombs to Ukraine. The chances of Kyiv joining NATO anytime soon, however, are almost nil, as VOA’s Veronica Balderas Iglesias reports. ]]
((NARRATOR))
As explosives that release smaller submunitions, cluster bombs can kill indiscriminately. More than 100 countries have banned them.
But as Ukraine is running out of inventory in its counteroffensive against Russia,
the United States has now agreed to send them some, explained the White House National Security Council spokesman, John Kirby, on ABC’s “This Week” show.
((VIDEO: ABC This Week))
(courtesy: ABC’s “This Week”)
((John Kirby, White House National Security Council))
“We're going to send these additional artillery shells that have cluster bomblets in them to help bridge the gap as we ramp up production of normal 155 artillery shells.”
The Russian government, who has been accused itself
of using cluster munitions in urban areas of Ukraine, condemned the move.
Human rights advocates have underlined the dangers that cluster munitions pose to civilians. Democratic Representative Barbara Lee echoed similar concerns on CNN.
(((Mandatory cg: Twitter/CNN “State of the Union”))
((Rep. Barbara Lee, Democrat))
“They don't always immediately explode. Children can step on them. That's the line we should not cross.”
((NARRATOR))
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, interviewed on ABC, once again raised the importance of receiving international support in the form of diverse weaponry.
((VIDEO: ABC This Week))
((Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine))
“F-16 or any other equipment that we do need, will give us an opportunity to move faster, to save more lives, to stand our ground for a long time.”
((NARRATOR))
Zelenskyy added that he would like to get clear security guarantees from NATO when its members meet in Vilnius, Lithuania.
U.S. President Joe Biden, who appeared on CNN, lowered expectations that Ukraine would join the military alliance any time soon.
((Mandatory cg: Twitter/CNN International))
((President Joe Biden))
“I don’t think there’s unanimity in NATO about whether or not to bring Ukraine into the NATO family now, at this moment in the middle of a war. /NATO is a process that takes some time to meet all the qualifications. And from democratization to a whole range of other issues.”
((NARRATOR))
Republican Representative Michael McCaul expressed similar views on CNN.
((Mandatory cg: Twitter/CNN “State of the Union”)
((Rep. Michael McCaul, Republican))
“They've demonstrated a will to fight a will for freedom and democracy against tyranny and oppression. I think they've earned it but we have to put it on a on the right path for not an immediate ascension into NATO.”
((NARRATOR))
Discussions on how to bring Kyiv closer to joining the alliance are expected to take place during the NATO Summit.
((Veronica Balderas Iglesias, VOA News Washington.))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)Washington D. C.
Embargo DateJuly 9, 2023 18:32 EDT
BylineVeronica Balderas Iglesias, VOA News
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
