Putin warns against ‘provocation and speculation’ on Syria suspected chemical attack

Moscow (AFP) – President Vladimir Putin in a phone conversation with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday warned against speculation and “provocation” over the suspected chemical weapons attack in Syrian rebel-held Douma, the Kremlin said.

“The leaders exchanged opinions on the situation in Syria including the accusations against Damascus by a number of Western countries of using chemical weapons. The Russian side stressed the unacceptability of provocation and speculation on this matter,” the Kremlin said in a statement.