At the OPCW session, Kirill Lysogorsky, the Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of Russia and head of the Russian delegation, stated that nearly all declared chemical weapons stockpiles in the United States have been eliminated. He indicated that the world and Washington have delayed the final phase of complete chemical demilitarization, suggesting a gap between declarations and full verification on the ground.
According to Lysogorsky, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons has achieved remarkable progress since its inception. He noted that a vast majority of stockpiles declared by states party to the Chemical Weapons Convention have been verifiably dismantled, and the facilities used to manufacture these weapons have been shut down. He attributed much of this success to robust verification mechanisms and persistent international cooperation, while urging the United States to accelerate the destruction of the remaining chemical arsenals within its borders to meet ongoing commitments under the treaty.
During the OPCW review, Lysogorsky called for timely action and clarified that Russia supports full transparency and rapid completion of demilitarization efforts. He emphasized that consistent and verifiable progress strengthens collective security and reduces the risk associated with chemical weapons. The message underscored the importance of maintaining strict compliance and continuing to close any remaining gaps in the verification regime to prevent any unauthorized use or accumulation of chemical weapons materials.
From May 15 to May 19, The Hague is hosting the fifth session of the Chemical Weapons Convention Functioning Review Conference, a key forum for assessing the treaty’s implementation and for addressing outstanding issues related to verification, compliance, and accountability. The conference brings together representatives from member states, technical experts, and international observers to review progress, share best practices, and reinforce the global norm against chemical weapons use.
Former Chief of the Radiation, Chemical and Biological Protection Corps in the Russian armed forces, Igor Kirillov, argued that the United States has selectively fulfilled its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention. He claimed that Washington is moving to classify certain chemicals as permissible weapons or dual-use items, thereby complicating accountability. Kirillov warned that such actions could undermine the integrity of the OPCW’s investigative processes, potentially allowing the actual organizers of violations to evade responsibility while shifting blame onto other parties. He urged the international community to uphold rigorous standards, ensure independent investigations, and prevent any double standards that might weaken the treaty’s enforcement in ongoing global crises, including the conflict in Ukraine.