The United Nations Security Council and the Executive Council of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) convened to discuss findings related to a chemical attack in Salisbury, UK. The OPCW's recent report confirmed the UK's analysis regarding the nerve agent used on March 4.
Heather Nauert, spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State, expressed support for the UK's position and highlighted the significance of these meetings. "We fully support the UK and the need for today’s special meetings of the OPCW Executive Council and the UN Security Council to discuss the chemical weapons attack in Salisbury and the OPCW’s detailed independent analysis," she stated.
Nauert reiterated that "the United States agrees with the UK’s assessment that Russia is responsible for this use of chemical weapons on UK soil– either through deliberate use or through its failure to declare and secure its stocks of this nerve agent."
She further asserted, "Only the Government of Russia has the motive, means, and record to conduct such an attack." According to Nauert, Russia developed this type of military-grade nerve agent and has a history of state-sponsored assassinations.
The Russian government's response was criticized by Nauert as being filled with denials and counteraccusations aimed at deflecting blame. She emphasized that "the United States condemns the use of chemical weapons anywhere, anytime, by anyone, under any circumstances."
Nauert called upon members of both councils to form a united front against chemical weapons use. "We cannot allow the normalization of chemical weapons use," she concluded.