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Ryuu96 on 18 July 2024
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Political chaos in Europe could have ripple effects in Asia, analysts said. The uncertainty in France, where recent elections effectively created a lame-duck government, could ultimately affect Europe’s support for Ukraine. And a Japanese security official told Nikkei that if Russia gains the upper hand over Kyiv, “it will inevitably impact Asia. North Korea, which has been deepening its military cooperation with Russia, may become more assertive as a result.”

Meanwhile, Asian powers have upped their military presence in Europe: North Korean and Chinese tech has ended up on the battlefield in Ukraine, while China held joint exercises in Belarus. “Whereas once-weak Asian powers used to be the object of Europe’s strategic calculations, it will now be the other way around,” a Foreign Policy columnist wrote.

Europe Chaos Reverberates in Asia | Semafor

In total, 103 MPs voted in favour of denouncing the Convention on Cluster Munitions, one was against, and three abstained.

The country’s authorities argue that the international legal restrictions limit the defence capabilities and combat power of Lithuania and its allies operating on its territory and reduce the effectiveness of deterrence.

“It would be very wrong for a country, when preparing for its defence, to immediately say what capacity it would not use for its defence. Now, we can neither buy cluster munitions, nor can we train, nor can we even allow the transfer to allies who have not ratified this convention,” Defence Minister Kasčiūnas told the Seimas on Thursday.

“I can assure you that nowadays, this capability is being used much more responsibly. There are much more modern technologies. It is much more efficient. They are much safer,” he added.

Lithuania’s plans to withdraw from the Convention on Cluster Munitions have been criticised by the Cluster Munition Coalition, and concerns have also been raised by Human Rights Watch, an international human rights organisation, and the Mines Advisory Group, a UK-based NGO that disposes of mines, cluster munitions, and UXO.

Of the NATO member states that share a border with Russia, only Lithuania and Norway are currently parties to the convention.

By withdrawing from this agreement, Lithuania intends to acquire cluster munitions together with its allies.

Lithuania Leaves Convention Banning Cluster Munitions - LRT

Russia Faces Artillery Barrel Shortage

Last edited by Ryuu96 - on 18 July 2024