think there are a lot more conversations which we need to have as we return to capitol hill next week, especially those of us on the armed services committee. but, there are not a lot of great options for the president, or for allies, at this point. what about this threat posed to civilians by these undesignated bomblets? it is a concern when the russians have used them. it is absolutely a legitimate concern. we have seen the impact on civilians, in the past, which is why, from a humanitarian perspective, we all should be worried about this. but, it is my understanding, that ukraine has made certain commitments to the white house and to the administration about the way that they will use this, and we cannot forget that it is in ukraine s best interest to protect their civilians and fellow ukrainians.
to be used in civilian areas but to stop those tanks from rolling. it was not an easy decision, and we are not mentors of that agreement, but i it took me a while to be convinced to do it. the main thing is, they either have the weapons to stop the russians now through these areas, or they do not. and i think they need them. reporter: you heard, there, the president walked through his reasoning as to how he got to the point where they would provide these cluster munitions. but, it is a critical time, where ukrainians have struggled to make major gains in their counteroffensive against russia. it also comes at a time where the president is going on a eklong trip tomorrow, to the uk where he will meet with the
these weapons contain multiple explosions released over an area the size of several football fields but you can have unexploded bomblets in these munitions. what is your sense of it, colonel, is this a good idea? i think the president is taking heat from some corners, progressive wings in particular are taking a very principled approach. he is likely to take some heat from elements of nato, also, that have the leisure to take these kinds of principled approaches. from a practical standpoint, the president of the right thing and to support his decision. it was the righteous thing to do . the fact that these systems are essential to ukraine in these battles for liberating territory and helping when the war quickly. i met with probably almost a dozen ukrainian ministers on our trip there, we just got back yesterday, and de-mining
am jim acosta in washington. we begin with president biden defending his decision to include cluster bombs in the admonitions latest military aid package to ukraine. human rights groups oppose cluster bombs which can carry dozens or even hundreds of smaller explosives. sometimes they do not explode on impact, as you can see in this video of a russian cluster bomb dropped on ukraine last year. the unexploded bomblets can kill and maim civilians, more than 100 countries have outlawed the use of cluster bombs but that group does not include the united states or russia. priscilla alvarez is on the road where the president is spending the weekend, priscilla, the president is facing some pushback even from fellow democrats on the inclusion of cluster bombs in this military aid package. tell us more. reporter: that s right because is a significant development, and one that is not sitting well with democrats
russia invaded ukraine in a war many thought would end in a matter of weeks. during that time, ukrainian officials said at least 494 children have been killed with more than 1000 others injured. earlier today, president zelenskyy posted a video of himself visiting snake island, which became a symbol of ukrainian resistance in the earliest days of the war. ukrainian soldiers famously defied and ordered the russian worshipers are under the island. zelenskyy voiced his gratitude for everyone who fought to defend it, calling it a place of victory that will never be conquered. meanwhile, zelenskyy s government is thinking the u.s. for president the biden s decision to provide ukraine with cluster bombs despite some international objections. ukraine s defense minister insists they will only be used in nonurban areas and that careful records will be kept of where they are deployed for de- mining purposes later. biden s decision on cluster bombs comes days after he spoke with fellow nato leade