Russia: US warning of Syrian chemical attack complicates peace talks

Russia’s deputy foreign minister on Wednesday said the U.S. warning of Syrian preparations for a chemical attack makes peace talks to end the country’s six-year-long civil war more complicated.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov made the comments Wednesday, Reuters reported, citing RIA news agency.

The comments come after the White House said in a statement earlier this week the U.S. had “identified potential preparations for another chemical weapons attack by the Assad regime” in Syria.

{mosads}Such an attack “would likely result in the mass murder of civilians, including innocent children,” White House press secretary Sean Spicer added, noting the activity is “similar to preparations the regime made before its April 4, 2017, chemical weapons attack.”

“As we have previously stated, the United States is in Syria to eliminate the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. If, however, Mr. Assad conducts another mass murder attack using chemical weapons, he and his military will pay a heavy price,” the White House added on Monday night.

U.S. warships launched 59 cruise missiles at a Syrian air base in early April in response to a chemical attack believed to be carried out by forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar Assad.