Moscow, Nov 9 (AP) Russia has rejected the US claim that it has flouted an international ban on chemical weapons.

The Russian Industry and Trade Ministry that oversaw the dismantling of Soviet-era chemical arsenals denounced what it called "blackmail and unlawful pressure" by Washington.

It emphasised Friday that Russia completed the destruction of its chemical stockpiles last year.

The US State Department said Tuesday that Russia has failed to meet a 90-day deadline to comply with a US law on preventing the use of chemical weapons, adding that it will now consult Congress on new sanctions against Moscow.

Washington and its allies have accused the Russian government of involvement in a March nerve agent attack on former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in the English city of Salisbury. Russia has strongly rejected the accusations. (AP) MRJ

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)