Germany is opposed to sending cluster munitions to Ukraine, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and Foreign Minister Analena Burbock said today, a day after US officials indicated that Washington was considering offering such equipment to Kiev.

The use and transfer of cluster munitions was banned by the Oslo Convention (CCM) in 2008, which is a signatory of many Western countries, including Germany, but not the US and Russia.

Human rights groups oppose sending such munitions to Ukraine, and Berbock said Germany also disagrees.

When asked to comment on the information about the statements of the American officials, the German foreign minister replied: “I have followed the press reports. For us (…) the Oslo Convention applies”.

The reaction of Pistorius was similar, who emphasized that “Germany has signed the Convention, so this is not an option for us”.

“As for the countries that have not signed it – China, Russia, Ukraine and the US – I cannot comment on their actions,” he added.

The US government is “actively considering” supplying Ukraine’s military with cluster munitions, the New York Times and other US media reported Thursday, citing unnamed government sources.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) called on Russia and Ukraine to stop using cluster munitions and asked the US not to send such equipment to Kiev. The non-governmental organization pointed out that both Russian and Ukrainian forces have used such munitions that have killed Ukrainian civilians.