Ukrainian foreign minister: 'We do not expect' that NATO will defend Ukraine if Russia deploys chemical weapons

NATO would not come to the defense of Ukraine if Russia used chemical weapons, according to the foreign minister.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba told Margaret Brennan from Kyiv on Sunday that they do not expect NATO to defend them.

Russia has recently made false claims that the US has chemical and biological weapons in Ukraine. The White House said that could mean the Kremlin is planning to use their weapons.

Kuleba said on Sunday that Ukrainians can't rule out the possibility that Russia will use banned weapons.

Several human rights groups said earlier this month that Russia appeared to have used cluster bombs on Ukrainians. According to the United Nations, they have received credible information about indiscriminate attacks on civilians.

Kuleba said that they do not exclude that option because they see that Russia is using one prohibited weapon after another to break us down, and the United Nations have confirmed that some of the internationally prohibited weapons have been used against Ukrainian civilians.

The foreign minister said that Ukrainian forces are working with Western countries to find out what kind of chemical weapons Russia may deploy.

Kuleba said that what they were asking was very simple. We will fight for our own land and for our people if we are given all the weapons necessary.

Western countries sent weapons but have been hesitant to send troops out of fear of escalating the conflict with Russia.

Putin initially said that his invasion of Ukraine would not target any civilians, but the offensive has resulted in a massive refugee crisis.