Russia and China reject French accusations of politicizing Covid-19 vaccines / Article / LSM.lv

Moscow and Beijing on Friday rejected claims by top French officials that Russia and China are using their Covid-19 vaccines as a tool of geopolitical influence. In the face of vaccine shortages, some European Union (EU) Member States have purchased coronavirus vaccines from Russia and China, although they have not been approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

IN SHORT:

• France describes Russian and Chinese vaccines as a propaganda tool.
• Russia denies using Sputnik V as a means of geopolitical influence.
• China emphasizes the need for the world to work together on vaccines.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Ledria announced on Friday that domestic vaccines against Covid-19 would serve as a means for Russia and China. an instrument of propaganda and aggressive diplomacy, not as a means of solidarity and assistance.

The decision on “Sputnik” is expected in mid-April

As an example, he cited the delivery of 30,000 doses of vaccines widely advertised in the Russian-controlled media to Tunisia. At the same time, Tunisia has received 100,000 doses through the global vaccine distribution program Covax, and will receive another 400,000 doses by May, Euronews reports.

China, meanwhile, has announced that it will supply 200,000 doses of Sinopharm to Senegal, while Senegalese have already received 400,000 doses of vaccine through Covax and will receive another 600,000 by the end of the year.

Ledria also rejected Russia’s accusations that the EU was obstructing its Sputnik V vaccine. He emphasized that the EU only uses reliable and safe vaccines that have been approved by the ESA. Its experts launched an accelerated evaluation of Sputnik V this month, but a final decision is expected in mid-April.

Hungary, an EU member state, uses both Sputnik V and Sinopharm vaccines to vaccinate its population.

A new kind of world war

On Thursday evening, French President Emmanuel Macron also accused China and Russia of using vaccines to increase their influence abroad, including in Europe.

“Europe is the only continent in the free world that has its own vaccine strategy and diplomacy. Its aim is not to blackmail one country or another, but to fulfill our international commitments, “Macron emphasized.

“We need to be aware that we are facing a new kind of world war. We see attempts by Russia and China to destabilize the situation, to increase the impact through vaccines. If we want to resist it, we have to produce enough vaccines to meet our needs, ”said Macron.

Vaccines are not an instrument of action

In response to Makron’s remarks, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denied Russia’s use of vaccines as a means of influence. On the contrary, Russia is a responsible member of the international community, which is best evidenced by the actions of the state in this difficult complex for all mankind.

“Russia is increasing the pace of vaccine production in order to complete the vaccination of its population, and at the same time is doing its utmost to respond to the ever-increasing international demand for its vaccine in the foreseeable future. Russia has never had and will not want to politicize the issue of vaccines and use vaccines as a tool of influence, “Peskov said.

The developers of the Sputnik V vaccine have told Makron on Twitter that they are doing everything they can to ensure that the vaccines are not politicized and increase peace in the world.

Dear @EmmanuelMacron, making vaccines non-political is our best hope at world peace not war. We appreciate you sending a French science team under the leadership of @mpkieny and our partnership with France that has helped us a lot and contributed to our joint fight with COVID! pic.twitter.com/C1pwoUP0mZ

– Sputnik V (@sputnikvaccine) March 26, 2021

The Chinese Foreign Ministry has stated that the statements of French officials are untrue. Beijing is rejecting vaccine nationalism and hoping the world will work together on vaccines to overcome the pandemic together.

CONTEXT:

European Medicines Agency (EMA) on 4 March launched the “Sputnik V” accelerated assessment procedure, taking an important step towards the possible approval in the European Union (EU) of the first vaccine not produced in the West.

Sputnik V was developed by the Russian Gamalay National Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology in Moscow. The vaccine was initially viewed with skepticism abroad, as it was approved by Russia before extensive clinical trials were completed. However, a study published in the medical journal “The Lancet” in February shows that developed in Russia vaccine efficacy is 91.6%.

Sputnik V is approved in more than 50 countries and is distributed by the Russian Direct Investment Fund.

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