U.S. set up teams to plan response to Russia's use of chemical weapons

The White House has set up a team of experts to plan how the United States could respond to Russia's invasion of Ukraine if it used chemical, biological or nuclear weapons of mass destruction, according to senior administration officials.

Russia has repeatedly raised the prospect of using nuclear weapons as it struggles to beat Ukraine's military during the month-old war that the Russian government calls a special operation. The Kremlin said such weapons would only be used in the case of an existential threat. U.S. officials have warned that Russia's accusations that Ukraine might use chemical weapons are a lie, and that Moscow may resort to their use, given past precedent.

The White House National Security Council sent an internal memo to agencies on February 28 to create a strategy group to examine major geopolitical shifts that are occurring as a result of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. A second group, known as the Tiger Team, is looking at what the next three months look like.

One U.S. official said that the strategy group is working to monitor and mitigate risks, while considering how to advance and defend U.S. interests.

The teams are making contingency plans for various scenarios including Russia's potential use of chemical or biological weapons, the targeting of U.S. security convoys, disruptions to global food supply chains and the continued response to the growing refugee crisis.

The teams are looking at the possible use of nuclear weapons by Russia, the official said.

The official would not speculate as to how the United States might respond to Russia's use of mass destruction, but he made clear that there would be a response.

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said on CNN that it is incumbent on the United States to think about contingencies.

We haven't seen any indication that the Russians are prepared to use weapons of mass destruction inside Ukraine. If that were to happen, there would be a lot of response from both the United States and the international community, Kirby said.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said in Brussels on Thursday that Russia is trying to create a pretext for its actions by accusing Ukraine and its allies of using chemical weapons. He said the accusations are a pretext for Russia to do the same.

Jake Sullivan, the White House national security adviser, told reporters on Tuesday that President Joe Biden, in Brussels for urgent talks with NATO and European leaders, would discuss the possible use of nuclear weapons by Russia.

State Department spokeswoman Ned Price told reporters on Wednesday that Biden would also discuss chemical and biological weapons with the allies.

We tried to be very clear about the gravity of the use of chemical weapons. These are agents that should never be employed, and certainly not on the battlefield, as we are concerned that Russia might, he said.