Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry flatly rejects Russian claims about a possible US chemical attack in Donbas
Russian allegations that United States private military companies are planning a chemical attack in Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region are completely false, Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Oleh Nikolenko has told NV.
“We’re looking at yet another example of Russia spreading fake news,” Nikolenko said.
“The stories about alleged chemical weapons, U.S. mercenaries and attacks on residential districts in the Donbas are disinformation. Russia is looking for a reason to justify further provocations in Ukraine.”
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry called upon the Russian government to cease its rhetoric, which in recent weeks has become increasingly hostile.
“Moscow should return to a constructive dialogue if it wants to prove it intends to find a diplomatic solution to the conflict, as announced by Russian President (Vladimir) Putin,” Nikolenko said.
He added that a first step to a resolution would be for Russia to abide by the Minsk and Normandy Format agreements.
“The best security guarantee for Europe is if Russia ceases its military aggression in Ukraine and drops its aggressive rhetoric,” said Nikolenko.
On Dec. 21, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu alleged that U.S. mercenaries had been smuggling chemical weapons into Ukraine to plan an attack. Shoigu provided no evidence for his accusations.
U.S. Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby has stated that “…the statements by Minister Shoigu were completely false”.
Last week, Russia’s foreign ministry issued an eight-point draft treaty with a list of highly contentious demands, framed as “security assurances.” One was for a ban on further expansion of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization military alliance, including a reversal of decisions made in 2008 that have put Ukraine and Georgia on the road to NATO membership.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has called Russia’s demands a non-starter.
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