MOSCOW:Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry said in her statement that Kyiv is allegedly preparing to stage an anti-Russian incident involving chemical weapons. Speaking at a press briefing in Moscow, Zakharova claimed that the motive behind this alleged scheme is to regain the diminishing interest of Western nations in Ukraine and secure additional funding.
Zakharova emphasized the potential for another purported anti-Russian move using toxic substances manufactured in the West. She suggested that such an act could spark a campaign within UN structures and global media to falsely implicate Russia in the deliberate use of chemical weapons.
Citing intelligence reports, Zakharova indicated that Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) supposedly acquired substances from Germany, which are mandated for declaration under the Chemical Weapons Convention. She implied that the SBU might intend to use these chemicals to produce a chemical warfare agent in a controlled area under Kyiv's regime to provoke a limited-scale reaction.
The spokeswoman criticized Western nations for their support of Ukraine and cautioned that Russia might seek compensation for any damage caused in the future.
Addressing reports of potential shipments of Japanese missiles for US-made Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine, Zakharova warned that such actions would be considered hostile and could result in severe consequences for Japan in bilateral relations.
Responding to allegations made by EU top diplomat Josep Borrell about "Russia's threat," Zakharova accused Borrell of diverting attention away from economic issues faced by the EU.
Touching on the situation in Serbia, Zakharova asserted that the protests following the December 17 elections were externally orchestrated. She suggested that outside forces attempted to replicate Ukraine's scenario in the Balkan nation but were unsuccessful.
Additionally, Zakharova criticized South Korea's decision to ban the import of numerous goods to Russia, expressing concerns about the negative impact on bilateral trade and overall relations. She hinted at the possibility of Russia taking retaliatory measures, not necessarily in a symmetric manner.
Regarding Russia's relations with Armenia, Zakharova acknowledged the challenges faced throughout the year but indicated Moscow's readiness to seek mutually acceptable solutions despite Armenia's inclination towards the West.
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