Russia warned the Trump administration Thursday that retaliating against Syria for its suspected chemical attack on its own people would violate the United Nations Charter, and call into question the U.S. commitment to the global body.
“The threat to use force against a UN member state is, in itself, a blatant violation of the organization’s charter,” said Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, according to TASS.
“This is the organization the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations has been so active in, thus confirming its legitimacy,” she added.
Her warning came just hours before a U.S. strike against Syria was possible. President Trump has said explicitly that retaliation was on its way after a suspected chemical attack took place in Douma, Syria.
Several days have passed since the attack, but on Thursday, British Prime Minister Theresa May’s Cabinet agreed on “the need to take action.”
With Britain and France on board, strikes against Syria are possible any day now. But Zakharova questioned whether such an action would be legitimate in the eyes of the U.N.
TASS, Russia’s state-owned news agency, stressed again that Russia believes claims that Syria used a chemical weapon are “an attempt to undermine the peace process in the war-torn country.”
Meanwhile, Russia said it has now sent military police to Douma for the purpose of ensuring “security” at the site of the suspected chemical attack.
“In order to prevent provocations, ensure security, enforce the law and organize aid to local population, units of Russian military police have started their work in the city of Douma,” said Maj. Gen. Yuri Yevtushenko. “Checkpoints opened by Russia are also functioning.”
“No military action is currently under way in Douma, Citizens have started to return to peaceful life. 250 people have returned to their homes,” he said.
Syria and Russia are allies in the country’s civil war, and Syria’s envoy to the United Nations this week claimed that the chemical weapons used in the country entered with the help of the U.S., the United Kingdom, and others.
