This would violate the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), which imposes an international ban on chemical weapons.
“The use of such chemicals is not isolated and is likely motivated by the desire of Russian forces to drive Ukrainian forces from fortified positions and make tactical gains on the battlefield,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement reported by Reuters. message.
Prohibited asphyxiant
Chloropicrin is listed as a banned asphyxiant by the Hague-based Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), which was founded following the CWC.
In addition, according to the US, Russia also allegedly used tear gas as a method of war in Ukraine, “also in violation of the CWC,” the statement said. The Russian embassy in Washington has not yet responded to the accusation.
New sanctions
The US government will target Russian weapons production through new sanctions, including Russian production of chemical and biological weapons. About 200 companies and 80 individuals in countries that the Americans say support Russia in purchasing materials for its weapons production are affected by the sanctions, the US Treasury Department said. The statement mentions, among others, Belgium, China and Slovakia.
Three people linked to the death of Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny are also being punished. The Kremlin critic died in Russian custody in February. According to his supporters, he was murdered.
As a result of the new sanctions, all assets of those affected in the United States will be frozen. US citizens or people located in the US are prohibited from doing business with the sanctioned companies and individuals. The sanctions also make it more difficult for those affected to do international business.
