Russia, Ukraine trade allegations of chemical weapons use [Video]

AMSTERDAM –

Russia and Ukraine have accused each other at the global chemical weapons watchdog in The Hague of using banned toxins on the battlefield, the organization said on Tuesday.

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) said that the accusations were “insufficiently substantiated” but added: “The situation remains volatile and extremely concerning regarding the possible re-emergence of use of toxic chemicals as weapons.”

Neither Russia nor Ukraine has formally asked the OPCW to investigate the alleged use of chemical weapons, it said.

Andriy Sybiha, Ukraine’s first deputy foreign minister, said he discussed Russia’s use of ammunition with chemicals on the battlefield with OPCW director Fernando Arias on Tuesday.

Sybiha informed Arias about the parliamentary ratification of an agreement that “opens up opportunities for organizing OPCW technical assistance visits to Ukraine”, the ministry said in a statement.

Last week, the U.S. said Russia had violated the international chemical weapons ban …