The message reads, in part:
“This anniversary year is marked with a total abolition of chemical weapons in Russia. The last of our chemical weapons were destroyed at the Kizner facility in Udmurtia on September 27, 2017.
This is undoubtedly an important step towards a more secure and stable world. The liquidation of chemical weapons in Russia was held under strict international control and in full compliance with the Convention provisions. We express gratitude to the OPCW Technical Secretariat and member states for their long-standing close cooperation. We hope for further productive cooperation with the organisation.
We urge countries that possess chemical weapons to follow our example and do their best to destroy their chemical weapons as soon as they can. We urge those who are not members of the Convention to join it. I am sure that firm political will can help us reach our common goal: to create a world free of chemical weapons.”