By Agnes Szucs
BRUSSELS (AA) - Russia’s use of chemical weapons would “fundamentally change the nature of the conflict,” NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Thursday.
Speaking to reporters on the way to the extraordinary summit of NATO leaders, Stoltenberg stated that it would mean a “catastrophe for the people of Ukraine” and involve “widespread and severe consequences” for NATO allies if Russia deployed chemical weapons in the war.
Stoltenberg declined to “speculate” about NATO’s concrete response in case of a chemical attack that spreads to NATO countries but reassured that “NATO is always ready to defend, to protect and to react to any type of attack.”
NATO heads of state and government will address “the most serious security crisis in the generation” at the summit, he added.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will also join a part of the discussion via video link.
The leaders are expected to approve additional support to Ukraine, including cybersecurity assistance, as well as protective equipment against chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats.
The heads of state and government will also mandate military commanders to develop plans about resetting the alliance’s defense and deterrence posture in the long term.
As the first step of this process, he said NATO will deploy four new battlegroups in Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, and Slovakia.
The Russia-Ukraine war, which began on Feb. 24, has met international outrage with the EU, US, and UK, among others, implementing tough financial sanctions on Moscow.
At least 977 civilians have been killed so far in Ukraine and 1,594 injured, according to UN estimates. It has warned, however, that the exact toll is likely much higher as it has not been able to gain access to areas of increased hostilities.
Over 3.6 million Ukrainians have also fled to neighboring countries, according to the UN refugee agency.