The European Union says there are "indications" that Russia may use chemical or biological weapons in its war with Ukraine and calls for an end to further escalation, as well as the use of banned weapons.
"If chemical weapons are used, that would be very bad. We have already received indications regarding a possible staged attack with either chemical or biological weapons by Russian occupation forces in Ukraine," European Commission spokesman Peter Stano said Monday in Brussels.
He said these indications are based on Russian officials spreading information about "a so-called bio-chemical laboratory and other nonsense that is absolutely untrue." "The EU is ready for any scenario. But let us not speculate and focus on efforts to stop the aggression against the Ukrainian people and Ukraine as a country, withdraw Russian troops and find a solution to this crisis through negotiations, not by using force and weapons, prohibited weapons," Stano stressed.
At the same time, he stated that what "we are seeing so far is irresponsible behavior on Ukrainian territory," which consists not only of shelling civilian infrastructure, but also shelling nuclear power plants.
"This is very dangerous, and the international community is responding to do everything possible to stop the Russian occupation machine from further attacks, including the use of prohibited weapons," the EC representative added.
Stano also condemned the attack on the Yavoriv International Peacekeeping Training Center. "We condemn this attack, as well as all attacks in Ukraine," he stated.
