Chemical disarmament completed in Russia

The President of Russia Vladimir Putin, expressed his remarks on the destruction of Russia’s last remaining chemical weapons, in a televised speech yesterday September 27.

Russia completed three years in ahead of schedule the destruction of the remaining chemical weapons in its arsenal, originally planed on 2020.

“Without exaggeration, we can say that this is a historic event considering the massive amount of chemical weapons inherited from the Soviet Union – an amount that, experts believe, would be enough to destroy every living creature on the planet several times. This is a huge step towards greater balance and security in the modern world.”

“Today’s event means our country will fulfill the main international obligation under the Chemical Weapons Convention, which is to completely eliminate its chemical weapons” he said.

President Putin continue “Russia was one of the first to sign this treaty and has worked closely with its partners to relieve humankind of the threat of the use and proliferation of such barbaric, lethal weapons.”

“I would like to thank all those who took part in implementing this programme, who displayed the utmost professionalism, responsibility and, at times, courage. I congratulate you on successfully eliminating the last of Russia’s chemical weapons.”

Mr Hamid Ali Rao, Deputy Director-General of the Technical Secretariat of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) was also present during the allocution.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov‘s  addressed to participants in a separated ceremony on completing the destruction of chemical weapons in Russia.

“Russia has fulfilled its commitments on eliminating its stockpiles

of these deadly arms (about 40,000 tonnes) three years ahead of schedule.” Said Minister Lavrov during his remarks. “The implementation of such a large scale project with the participation of over 15 foreign states and under comprehensive international control is a graphic example of productive multilateral cooperation.

Despite the existing difficulties, on of the word’s biggest arsenals of chemical arms has been eliminates.

Special credit for this achievement goes to all those who have consistently and selflessly contributed to this work over two decades, thereby promoting security, trust and mutual understanding in international affairs. ”

This event symbolically coincides with the 20th anniversary of the creation of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, OPCW.