Cluster bombs should not be sent to Ukraine, Spain’s defense minister said today, a day after the United States announced it would send cluster munitions to Kiev to help it counterattack Russian forces.

Cluster munitions have been banned in more than 100 countries, including Spain. These bombs release a large number of smaller bombs that can kill indiscriminately over a wide area. Any of these smaller bombs that do not explode pose a risk for decades.

“Spain, based on the firm commitment it has with Ukraine, also has a firm commitment that certain weapons and bombs cannot be handed over under any circumstances,” Margarita Robles told reporters during a rally in Madrid ahead of the national elections of 23 July.

“No to cluster bombs and yes to the legitimate defense of Ukraine, which we understand should not be carried out with cluster bombs,” Robles said.

Robles said the decision to send cluster bombs to Ukraine was a decision made by the US government and not by NATO, of which Spain is a member. There is widespread support among Spanish parties for supporting Ukraine and providing military aid for the war.

Russia, Ukraine and the United States have not signed the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which bans the production, stockpiling, use and transfer of such weapons.

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said Ukraine had provided written assurances that it would use cluster munitions “in a very careful manner” to minimize the risk to civilians.

Asked why cluster munitions were being sent now, US President Joe Biden told reporters that it was because Kiev’s effort to defend itself against Russia had “run out of ammunition”.