United States sends out 200 ventilators to Russia as coronavirus crisis deepens

The U.S. is to send out 200 ventilators to Russia after President Vladimir Putin called President Donald Trump to request assistance, according to the U.S. State Department.

The U.S. will begin to provide the ventilators to Russia today as the nation experiences “a true public health crisis due to the Covid-19 outbreak,” the State Department informed CNBC Tuesday,

Russia’s coronavirus cases neared 300,000 on Wednesday, sealing its position as the nation with the second-highest variety of verified infection cases after the U.S., which has more than 1.5 million cases, according to information from Johns Hopkins University.

“In response to President Putin’s request for assistance, President Trump offered to donate and deliver 200 ventilators to the Russian people. The first 50 ventilators are being produced by the manufacturer in the United States, and are expected to be ready for shipment May 20,” the representative stated.

The U.S. stated the sending out of medical help to Russia became part of a raft of steps it had actually required to assist its worldwide allies which it wished to enhance U.S.-Russia relations, which have actually been strained in the last few years following its  addition of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and meddling in the U.S.’ 2016 election, both of which drew global condemnation and resulted in financial sanctions on Russia.

“The United States seeks a better relationship with Russia on many fronts and the door to dialogue remains open.  We must all work together to overcome this common threat that knows no boundaries. The United States and Russia have provided humanitarian assistance to each other during past crises and will no doubt do so again in the future,” the representative kept in mind.

Moscow’s ask for medical help follows it sent out what it called “humanitarian aid” to the U.S. in early April as the coronavirus pandemic took hold in New York. Russia sent the U.S. a freight of medical materials, consisting of ventilators, however the act of largesse has actually not lacked debate.

Critics stated Russia had actually sent out the medical materials as a method to soften the U.S.’ position on sanctions on Russia (Moscow emphatically rejected the help was targeted at unwinding sanctions) and after that security issues triggered the U.S. to put a stop to any usage of the Russian-made ventilators it was sent out after the exact same design — the Aventa-M ventilator — was examined as the possible reason for 2 lethal fires in Russian health centers that eliminated a number of Covid-19 clients.

U.S. help to Russia comes as its dedication to the World Health Organization, which has actually attempted to lead an international action to the coronavirus pandemic, looks progressively vulnerable.

Trump stated on Tuesday that the WHO should “clean up” its act or the U.S. will not “be involved with them anymore.” Trump had actually threatened to pull assistance from the firm completely Monday and provided it a 30-day due date to execute modifications.

The State Dept. representative informed CNBC that the U.S. is “the largest contributor to global public health and has committed over 15,000 ventilators to more than 50 countries, including our European Allies and partners.”

“Through the generosity of the American people and private industry innovation, the United States is providing critical medical supplies and ventilators to people in need around the world.”