Churkin: UN report confirms Russia’s conviction that fighters are behind chemical weapons’ use in Syria

Moscow – A report by UN experts on the use of chemical weapons in Syria confirms that
these weapons were used by “Syrian opposition” fighters, Russian Permanent Envoy to the
UN Vitaly Churkin said.
“What is written in the current report does not change but even confirms our conviction
that fighters, not the Syrian government, are behind the use of chemical weapons in Syria,”
Churkin said on Rossiya-24 news television channel on Friday.
UN investigation team looking into whether chemical weapons were used in Syria came to
the conclusion that these weapons were likely used in five out of seven sites investigated
by UN experts, including in Khan al-Assal near Aleppo city.
Gatilov: About 1,000 West Europeans fighting in Syria
About 1,000 citizens of West European countries are fighting in Syria, Russian Deputy
Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov said on Friday.
Another major problem is the growing number of terrorist groups in Syria, who are fighting
the Syrian government, he added.
“Some sources report increasing flows of terrorist elements from Europe into Syria. About
1,000 West European nationals participate in military operations alongside Al Qaeda and
other radical groups,” he said.
“European countries are deeply worried over the situation, aware that effective measures
are needed to reverse the process,” the diplomat added.
Europeans who are now fighting in Syria may return to Europe and take part in terrorist
attacks, which arouses concern in West European governments, Gatilov said.
He said Moscow will help transport Syrian chemical weapons to Lattakia port where they
can be removed aboard ships.
Gatilov said in remarks carried Friday by the state RIA Novosti news agency that Russia
would provide vehicles and other equipment to transport the chemical weapons to Latakia
port, adding that Russian experts will be involved in the transportation effort.
Gatilov said all the steps of the chemical weapons’ removal are coordinated with the Syrian
government, indicating that Russia’s participation in the process in confined to logistical
support.
”Russia won’t be sending any peacekeeping forces to supervise the transportation of
chemical materials,” he pointed out.