Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned on Monday that Russian forces are preparing to use chemical weapons in Ukraine, calling for more Western sanctions to deter the threat.
In his nightly address, Zelensky said Russian President Vladimir Putin’s army is preparing for “a new stage of terror against Ukraine” that may involve the use of chemical weapons. He named Mariupol, in eastern Ukraine, a location where chemical weapons could be used by Russia. The Ukrainian president, however, did not specifically mention unconfirmed reports that chemical weapons have already been used in Mariupol.
“Today, the occupiers issued a new statement, which testifies to their preparation for a new stage of terror against Ukraine and our defenders,” Zelensky said. “One of the mouthpieces of the occupiers stated that they could use chemical weapons against the defenders of Mariupol. We take this as seriously as possible.”
The Ukrainian president claimed the Russian military had discussed the use of chemical weapons against Ukraine in the past and that it is “necessary to react to the Russian aggression much tougher and faster.”
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Zelensky called on the European Union to implement another round of tough sanctions on Russia that would make the Kremlin rethink its possible use of “weapons of mass destruction.” The Ukrainian leader said sanctions against Russian oil are a must.
“The European Union has now begun discussing a sixth package of sanctions against Russia. It is time to make this package such that even a word about weapons of mass destruction is no longer heard from the Russian side. An oil embargo against Russia is mandatory,” the Ukrainian leader said.
“Any new package of sanctions against Russia that does not affect oil will be received in Moscow with a smile,” according to Zelensky.
A message posted on the social media platform Telegram by the Azov Regiment, an ultranationalist element of the Ukrainian defense forces, claimed that Russian forces used “a poisonous substance of unknown origin” in Mariupol on Monday.
The fighters reportedly exposed to the chemical agent are in “relatively satisfactory condition,” according to a Tuesday report, suffering from high blood pressure, eye rash, and shortness of breath.
The Pentagon said on Monday that it is monitoring the situation.
“We are aware of social media reports which claim Russian forces deployed a potential chemical munition in Mariupol, Ukraine,” Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said Monday. “We cannot confirm at this time and will continue to monitor the situation closely.”
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“These reports, if true, are deeply concerning and reflective of concerns that we have had about Russia’s potential to use a variety of riot control agents, including tear gas mixed with chemical agents, in Ukraine,” Kirby said.
