Claims of chemical weapons use by Syria regime 'utter

Russian President Vladimir Putin today firmly rejected claims that the Syria regime has used chemical weapons, calling it "nonsense" and demanding proof.

"Syrian government troops are on the offensive and have surrounded the opposition in several regions. In these conditions, to give a trump card to those who are calling for a military intervention is utter nonsense," Putin told reporters in Vladivostok in response to a question on alleged chemical weapons use by the regime.