US recognizes biological research facilities in Ukraine

During a hearing in the US Senate, Ms. Nuland was asked whether there were chemical or biological weapons inUkraineor not. The diplomat replied: "Ukraine has biological research facilities. We are concerned that the Russian military may be trying to control them, so we are working with the Ukrainian side to prevent any research materials from falling into the hands of the Russian military."

US Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland. Photo: AP

The Russian Defense Ministry previously held a conference, during which it was announced that the US has spent more than $200 million to maintain biological laboratories in Ukraine, a country participating in the US military biological program. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that, given the fact that there is US military biological activity in Ukraine, Russia does not rule out initiating a consultation mechanism under the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC).

Commenting on information related to US-funded biological laboratories in Ukraine, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian called on Washington to clarify its activities on biological militarization at home and abroad.