Russia has dismissed findings of a UN-led investigation, showing that Syrian forces had carried out three chemical attacks, as unconvincing. Russian Ambassador, Vitaly Churkin, told reporters following a closed-door Security Council meeting yesterday, that Russia believes the proof is not there for any punitive action to be taken.<br/><br/>A joint UN's Prohibition of Chemical Weapons' panel concluded that government forces carried out three chlorine gas attacks on villages in 2014 and 2015. It was the first time an international probe blamed President Bashar al-Assad's forces.<br/><br/>Britain and France pressed for sanctions, arguing that UN resolutions provide for such action in response to the use of chemical weapons.

Russia has dismissed findings of a UN-led investigation, showing that Syrian forces had carried out three chemical attacks, as unconvincing. Russian Ambassador, Vitaly Churkin, told reporters following a closed-door Security Council meeting yesterday, that Russia believes the proof is not there for any punitive action to be taken.<br/><br/>A joint UN's Prohibition of Chemical Weapons' panel concluded that government forces carried out three chlorine gas attacks on villages in 2014 and 2015. It was the first time an international probe blamed President Bashar al-Assad's forces. Britain and France pressed for sanctions, arguing that UN resolutions are provided for such action in response to the use of chemical weapons.