Rishi Sunak says the UK discourages use of cluster bombs in Ukraine

The UK is committed to a convention which “discourages” the use of cluster bombs, Rishi Sunak has said, after the US agreed to supply them to Ukraine.

The prime minister highlighted that the UK is one the countries to have banned the controversial weapons, which have a record of killing civilians.

But he also emphasised the government would continue to support Ukraine.

On Friday, US President Joe Biden made what he called a “very difficult decision” to supply them to Kyiv.

Spain and Canada, two of 123 nations to ban cluster bombs, have criticised the decision to send them, which has also been condemned by human rights groups.

Cluster munitions are a method of dispersing large numbers of tiny bomblets from a rocket, missile or artillery shell that scatters them in mid-flight over a wide area.

They are meant to detonate on impact, but a significant proportion of them fail to explode initially – often when they land on wet or soft ground. This means they can explode at a later date, killing or injuring people.

Neither the US, Ukraine or Russia are signatories of the international treaty – the Convention on Cluster Munitions – banning the use or stockpiling of them over the indiscriminate damage they can inflict on civilian populations.

Speaking to reporters in Selby, Yorkshire, on Saturday, Mr Sunak said the UK is “signatory to a convention which prohibits the production or use of cluster munitions and discourages their use”.

“We will continue to do our part to support Ukraine against Russia’s illegal and unprovoked invasion, but we’ve done that by providing heavy battle tanks and most recently long-range weapons, and hopefully all countries can continue to support Ukraine,” he added.

“Russia’s act of barbarism is causing untold suffering to millions of people.”

Mr Sunak is due to meet with Mr Biden in London on Monday, ahead of a Nato summit in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius on Tuesday.