Russian president Vladimir Putin has said that Russia could support UN-approved military action if proof was presented that it was the Assad regime that used chemical weapons in an attack last month.
He told Associated Press that such evidence would have to be “deep and specific” and “prove beyond doubt who did it and what means were used”.
Russia has now suspended the delivery of missule parts to the Assad regime, but said it could resume if the West attack Syrian targets without UN Security Council authorisation.
“We have supplied separate components, but the whole delivery is not finalised; we have suspended it for now,” Putin said.
“But if we see steps being undertaken that would violate existing international norms, we will think how to move forward, including on deliveries of such sensitive weapons.”