Russia’s mission to the United Nations said the UN Security Council will hold two meetings on Monday. Following a meeting initiated by Russia on threats to world peace, the Security Council will proceed to discuss the situation in Syria.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said that reports of chemical weapons use by Syrian government forces are aimed at covering up terrorism and justifying external military action. The Ministry advised against any military action based on far-fetched and fabricated reports, warning that it might have severe consequences.

President Trump on Sunday promised that the government of President Bashar al-Assad will pay a “big price” for an alleged chemical weapons attack that killed dozens of Syrians the day before. Mr Trump strongly condemned Russia and Iran for backing the government of President Assad.