Russia's use of chemical weapons would 'fundamentally' change conflict, says NATO chief

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.”