VLADIMIR PUTIN: Russia played key role in destruction of chemical weapons in Syria

NOVO-OGARYOVO (Sputnik) – Russia played a key role in the destruction of Syrian chemical weapons, President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday.

The last kilogram of Russia’s 40,000 tons of stockpiles of warfare agents, which was contained in two artillery shells, was destroyed on Wednesday at the Kizner facility in the Russian republic of Udmurtia.

“This is a huge step towards giving the modern world a more balanced, more secure nature. Our country will fulfill the main international obligation,”

Putin said, adding that Russia was working closely with partners to save mankind from the threat of the use and spread of chemical weapons.

“In this regard, I would like to recall the key role of our country in solving the problem of chemical weapons in Syria,”

he said.