Britain’s armed forces minister, James Heappey has said that London is investigating claims to confirm whether the Russian military used chemical weapons against Ukraine, amid the ongoing war between both neighbouring countries.
Reports had earlier emerged circulating on Ukrainian social media that such weapons were used against the besieged southern city of Mariupol in Ukraine.
But neither the British defence intelligence nor their counterparts in Kyiv have been able to verify those claims.
According to Heappey, the UK is “working urgently” to find out if chemical weapons were used, adding that if there is proof that such weapons have been used then “all options are on the table” in terms of the international response.
Speaking on the development, Heappey told BBC Breakfast: “Verifying it [use of chemical weapon] is clearly very important.
“If chemical weapons were used it is a very important moment for our PM [Boris Johnson] and other heads of government around the world.
“President Putin must be aware that the use of chemical weapons is unacceptable.”