Putin demands ‘convincing’ evidence of Syria chemical attack

Russian President Vladimir Putin. AP FILE PHOTO

MOSCOW – President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday urged the West to present convincing evidence of the alleged chemical weapons attack in Syria to the UN Security Council, saying Moscow would react decisively if it was proven who was behind the crime.

“If there is evidence that chemical weapons were used, and by the regular army,… then this evidence must be presented to the UN Security Council. And it must be convincing,” Putin said in an interview broadcast on Channel One television ahead of the G20 summit this week.

If there was clear proof of what weapons were used and who used them Russia “will be ready to act in the most decisive and serious way,” Putin said. He confirmed that Russia had delivered some components of S-300 missile systems to Syria but deliveries had now been “suspended”.