MOSCOW, June 30 (RIA Novosti) – Russia may still submit an inquest to the Organization for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) on the possible use of chemical weapons in eastern Ukraine, Russian Ambassador to The Netherlands Roman Kolodkin said Monday.
Kolodkin said, however, there is not yet enough proof to submit the inquest.
“In order to submit an inquest, significant grounds are needed and not just [information] from mass media. But if the information is multiplied, then perhaps we will bring up the issue. So far we are not,” Kolodkin said.
Kolodin said Ukraine has already started an investigation into the tragedy in Ukraine’s southern city of Odessa, where at least 48 people were killed.
“We’re waiting for the results. We hope that Ukraine will turn to the Organization for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons for cooperation so that their experts take part in the ongoing investigations,” Kolodin said.
On Sunday, local militia representatives said unidentified chemical weapons had been used by the Ukrainian army in an attack on the village of Semenivka near Slaviansk in Ukraine’s east.
One of the leaders of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic told RIA Novosti Monday that people showing symptoms of chlorine poisoning had been admitted to local hospitals following the Sunday attack.
Russia’s UN envoy Vitaly Churkin said Monday Moscow was calling for an investigation into the incident.
Despite the recent extension of the temporary ceasefire independence supporters and pro-Kiev forces continued fighting in Slaviansk throughout the weekend.
Last week, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko extended the ceasefire, initially declared until Friday evening, for an additional 72 hours.
