Kiev has been asking Washington for these munitions for months, although more than a 100 nations have banned them due to their potential harm to civilians during and after a conflict.

Russia’s permanent representative at the United Nations, Vasily Nebenzia, said on Thursday that, if the intentions of the Joe Biden administration regarding this delivery are confirmed, it will be “another step towards the escalation” of the conflict.

Such ammunition, which would be part of a new batch of military assistance to Kiev, will be financed, presumably through the president’s power to transfer material and services from the US reserves without the need for congressional approval during a possible emergency.

The use of cluster bombs is an issue that has gained notoriety following the start of the Russian special military operation in Ukraine more than a year ago, as both sides have accused each other of using them.

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