Carlson has also recently pushed a false claim made by Russian state media that the Pentagon is funding biological weapons research in Ukraine, twisting March 8 testimony given by Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland. Carlson claimed that when Nuland referenced “biological research facilities” in Ukraine she was referring to “secret labs” to manufacture bioweapons. But in fact, according to The New York Times, the U.S. has funded Ukrainian institutions trying to prevent the use of bioweapons. And Politifact noted that there are labs in the Ukraine that study pathogens and viruses, but those facilities are not making bioweapons.
Russia, however, has been fueling accusations that Ukraine intends to use biological weapons. U.S. officials fear the rhetoric could be a prelude to a Russian biological or chemical attack, as it seeks to preemptively muddy the waters about who might be using such weapons in the current war. During Nuland’s testimony, Sen. Marco Rubio asked her, “If there is a biological or chemical weapon incident or attack inside of Ukraine, is there any doubt in your mind that, 100 percent, it would be the Russians?”
“There is no doubt in my mind, senator,” Nuland said, adding, “And it is classic Russian technique to blame the other guy what they’re planning to do themselves.