The foreign ministers of the United States, France and the United Kingdom issued a joint statement rejecting Russia’s claims that Ukraine is preparing to use a “dirty bomb” on its own territory, the US State Department published on October 23, 2022.
“Transparently false”
The three governments rejected what they called “Russia’s transparently false allegations.” They warned that “the world would see through any attempt to use this allegation as a pretext for escalation” and rejected any other pretext for escalation by Moscow.
Calls with Shoigu
Earlier that day, the three countries’ defence ministers had spoken by phone with Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu at his request, during which he raised the allegation. Shoigu also discussed the claim with his Turkish counterpart.
Support for Ukraine
The ministers reaffirmed their “unwavering support” for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and pledged to keep supporting Ukraine’s efforts to defend itself “for as long as it takes,” including with security, economic and humanitarian assistance.
Kyiv’s response
Ukrainian officials dismissed the Russian claim as disinformation, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy suggesting it could indicate that Russia itself was preparing such a provocation. Ukraine invited the International Atomic Energy Agency to send inspectors to verify that no such weapon was being developed.
Sources
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