The foreign ministers of the US, UK and France rejected Russia’s allegation that Ukraine is preparing to use a so-called dirty bomb on its own territory, and urged Moscow not to use the claim as a pretext to escalate the eight-month war.
The world would "see through” any attempt by Russia to do so, the ministers said in a joint statement on Monday. They said they remain committed to continue supporting Ukraine’s efforts to defend its territory for as long as it takes.
By calling counterparts in recent days and saying Ukraine is preparing to use a dirty bomb, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu "likely sought to slow or suspend Western military aid to Ukraine and possibly weaken the NATO alliance,” according to the US-based Institute for the Study of War.
