Coronavirus In Russia: Moscow Sends Help To US Amid Own COVID-19 Problems

Russia is sending help to the U.S. through a plane filled with medical supplies despite their own coronavirus situation. This happened following a Monday phone call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The Russian Embassy made this known through its social media channels. The Russian government announced that it "may send [a] plane with medical equipment to #US by end of day. Being aware of the serious epidemiological situation in America, the Russian side offered medical equipment and protective gear as assistance."

A readout of the call that came from the White House, however, did not mention any discussion regarding the agreement on Russian medical aid. The readout, however, did say that the two presidents talked at length on their respective countries’ developments and efforts to combat COVID-19. It mentioned that their work will come through the G20 to create an international campaign against the virus.

The coronavirus pandemic effect on Russia has not been as good as expected. According to The Moscow Times, the country has stepped up its efforts to meet the pandemic head-on, but it hasn’t been working, or at least it looks like it; the cases in Russia are at 2,777, with the death toll currently at 24.

There have been measures involved in keeping people in their homes. Authorities in the country have developed a QR code system and a smartphone app that monitors people’s movements. The president himself is practicing social distancing, foregoing shaking of hands and also moving meetings into remote arrangements.

The U.S. and Russia had tension before, largely in part due to Russia’s expansionist tendencies. They have also been cited as “menacing” towards America’s allies. Trump himself has also come under fire as Russia is being accused of tampering in the previous elections where he won the presidency.