“Reports of the possible use of chemical weapons have been very worrying and this is an issue that NATO is still considering. “And of course we have to know very well that the atrocities in Ukraine are already very serious,” Anand said in an interview with CTV. “I believe that if you take the definition of genocide, which includes the intention to wipe out a nation in whole or in part, there is a strong argument, even without the use of chemical weapons, that genocide is taking place,” Anad said. The defense minister made the comment after being asked what NATO’s response would be if it were confirmed that Russia had used chemical weapons in Ukraine. Ukraine has said it is considering whether Russia may have used chemical weapons in the attack on the Ukrainian port of Mariupol, but these allegations have not been verified and have been refuted by Russia. During this 50-day siege of Ukraine, Russian forces have been accused by Ukraine of committing war crimes, targeting civilians, including children, and destroying entire cities. International law defines genocide as the deliberate killing or infliction of other serious harm “with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial or religious group.” The Secretary of Defense’s comments come as Prime Minister Justin Trinto told reporters earlier this week that it was “absolutely right” to use the term genocide in the context of what is happening in Ukraine. “There are formal procedures for determining genocide,” Trinto said. “But I think it’s absolutely right that more and more people are talking and using the word ‘genocide’ in relation to what Russia is doing.” Ahead of Trinto’s remarks, US President Joe Biden said Russia’s actions in Ukraine were tantamount to genocide in his view. According to the Associated Press, Biden accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of trying to “eradicate the idea of even being Ukrainian.” While neither Canadian nor US officials’ comments were met with immediate action or repercussions, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised the fact that he was “saying things in their name”. —-
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