President Biden has “real concerns” that Russia may use chemical weapons in Ukraine. European leaders have expressed similar worries.
- Andrew Weber, senior fellow at the Council on Strategic Risks and former assistant secretary of defense for nuclear, chemical and biological defense programs, said he is “deeply concerned” the Russians could use chemical weapons as they have used them before and have routinely covered up Syria’s use of them.
- Weber said intelligence indicates Russia plans to use these weapons, which can kill thousands of people and are banned by international convention.
- He said if Russia were to use them, the United States might change its policy of staying out of direct involvement in the conflict.