NATO fears Russian chemical attack in Ukraine

A long-scheduled NATO summit in Madrid in June will see long-term changes for the alliance. (file)

Brussels:

NATO is concerned that Russia is gearing up to carry out a chemical attack in Ukraine, Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Tuesday ahead of a meeting of coalition defense ministers.

“We are concerned that Moscow could possibly conduct a false flag campaign, including chemical weapons,” the NATO chief told reporters, citing Russia’s “absurd claims.” Ukraine has biological weapons laboratories.

NATO remains “very cautious” on that risk, he said, and stressed that Russia would “pay a high price” if it “violates international law”.

He declined to “guess about any military response from NATO” if such a chemical attack took place.

Wednesday’s meeting, Stoltenberg said, will include “concrete measures to strengthen our security for the long term in all domains” to adapt to the changed threat environment posed by Russia’s “foolish war”.

“This could involve significantly more forces with higher readiness and more pre-positioned equipment in the eastern side of the coalition,” on top of the NATO forces already sent to NATO countries bordering Ukraine, he said. .

A long-scheduled NATO summit in Madrid in June will see long-term changes for the alliance.

“It’s important to differentiate a lot about the immediate response — all tens of thousands more soldiers, air power and naval power — and then more long-term adjustments or currency,” to be discussed in June, he said.

When asked about rumors of a possible NATO summit in Brussels next week, Stoltenberg, along with leaders including US President Joe Biden, balked.

“We have been able to convene a NATO summit with NATO leaders at short notice, but I can’t go into more detail about that right now,” he said.

The president and prime minister of the European Union – of which the majority are NATO members – are already due to gather in Brussels next Thursday and Friday for a summit focused on Russia’s war in Ukraine.