Comment of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine on the imposing by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland of sanctions against the russian federation for the use of chemical weapons in Ukraine

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine welcomes the decision of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, published on October 8, 2024, regarding the imposing of restrictive measures against the Radiological, Chemical and Biological Defence troops of the russian federation and their commander for the use of chemical weapons in Ukraine.

This is yet another confirmation of the fact that the russian federation, in violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention, continues to commit crimes in the territory of Ukraine related to the use of hazardous chemical substances against the Security and Defense Forces of Ukraine.

Despite the condemning reaction of the international community, the russian federation continues to blatantly violate the norms of international law. In this regard, the intentions of the russian Side to be elected to the Executive Council of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons for the period 2025-2027 are particularly cynical.

The russian federation, systematically using chemical weapons in the territory of sovereign states, has no moral right to be a part of the governing bodies of the corresponding international organizations and influence their impartial and objective work.

Ukraine confirms its firm position that the use of chemical weapons by anyone, anywhere and under any circumstances is a gross violation of international law, and the states responsible for such actions must be held accountable.