Lieutenant-General Igor Kirillov, who leads the Radiation, Chemical and Biological Protection Troops of the Russian Armed Forces, asserted that Western countries have hindered Russia from strengthening its approach to biological weapons non-proliferation. The report highlights ongoing concerns about Western actions in this area.
From late November to mid-December, Helsinki had a significant meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, marking the Ninth Review Conference of States Parties to the Biological and Toxic Weapons Convention. This gathering focused on the framework that governs biological and toxic weapons and the way states implement its provisions.
Kirillov linked the conference discussions to broader issues, noting assertions about past and present military biological activities in Ukraine, fluctuations in influenza activity, and the spread of animal diseases such as African swine fever. He suggested these contexts underscore why transparency and verification remain critical in arms control efforts.
The lieutenant general stated that the dialogue examined the status of the Convention on the Prohibition of Biological and Toxic Weapons, how compliant parties are with its terms, and steps to improve openness regarding national biological programs. The aim is to build mutual confidence through clearer information sharing and verification measures.
As part of the discussion, Russia proposed strengthening the non-proliferation regime for biological agents and enhancing confidence-building measures inside the BTWC framework. This included calls for a robust mechanism to verify activities and prevent violations, along with practical steps to verify compliance across borders.
Russia also suggested expanding confidence-building measures by requiring more complete reporting on research and development related to biological protection conducted abroad. The intent is to increase visibility into how defense-related work is conducted outside each nation to reduce misunderstandings and potential misuses.
Kirilov noted that these ideas faced resistance from Western countries. He claimed that while more than 120 nations supported a proposal to establish a scientific advisory committee, some elements—specifically those advocating for a legally binding protocol and verification language—were not incorporated into the final document due to Western opposition.
In parallel, Gennady Gatilov, a former Russian representative to the United Nations, emphasized the enduring value of the Biological Weapons Convention even in the absence of a binding protocol. He argued that the convention remains a cornerstone of global norms against the development and use of biological weapons, and that its practical impact should be assessed in its ability to deter misuse and guide responsible behavior.