Putin Calls for a Global Conference on New Coronavirus Vaccines : Russian Vaccines can be Delivered to UN Staff Free-of-Charge

According to a report on the Russian Today website (RT) on the 22nd, Russian President Putin called for a high-level meeting on the global joint development of a new coronavirus vaccine in a speech at the United Nations General Assembly, and said that Russia will provide the United Nations staff with free national 'Sputnik-V' new coronavirus vaccine.

The United Nations General Assembly, which opened on Tuesday, was held in the form of online video. There were only permanent representatives of countries to the United Nations wearing masks. Countries submitted pre-recorded videos instead of speaking on the spot. Putin's speech mainly focused on the current COVID-19 pandemic. He said, 'We are all facing a new challenge -- the COVID-19 pandemic. This disease directly affects millions of people and takes away the most precious things -- hundreds of thousands of lives. Isolation and border closure have caused many problems for citizens of almost all countries, all of which are current realities.'

Putin called on world leaders who are interested in cooperating in the development of a new coronavirus vaccine to meet to discuss how to deal with this deadly disease and let everyone have free access to vaccines. This is the top priority of all mankind. Putin emphasized that Russia is the first country in the world to register the 'Sputnik-V' vaccine, which has been proven to be 'reliable, safe and effective'. Russia is ready to provide all the assistance needed.

Putin said in his speech, 'We are absolutely open and committed to building partnerships. Therefore, we propose to hold a high-level online meeting with countries interested in cooperating in the development of a new coronavirus vaccine in the near future.'

Russian President Vladimir Putin pointed out that this disease has already affected UN staff, and he subsequently said to provide help to the UN to fight the new coronavirus. Putin stated that Russia is ready to provide free 'Sputnik-V' vaccine to any UN staff willing to vaccinate, adding that Russia has received some related requests from UN colleagues.

The United Nations responded to this by thanking the Russian President for his 'generosity' and promising to further study. The spokesperson of the UN Secretary-General Stephen Duharic said, 'We thank President Putin for his generous help. Our medical department will study his proposal.'

According to the report, Russia's 'Sputnik-V' vaccine is currently undergoing large-scale final trials, and tens of thousands of Russians and foreigners have voluntarily participated in the pilot immunization program. Several countries, including Russia's Treaty Organization partners, India and the Philippines, have expressed interest in purchasing the vaccine from Russia.