Putin: "COVID-19 Vaccination in Russia Not Yet... Will Get Vaccinated When Possible"

Opposition Activist Navalny Admits Surveillance but Denies Poisoning Allegations

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Russian President Vladimir Putin revealed that he has not yet been vaccinated with the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine developed by his country. He acknowledged that the intelligence agency monitored Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny but denied allegations of an assassination attempt.

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

On the 17th (local time), President Putin made these remarks during an annual press conference held via video conference. When asked whether he had been vaccinated with Russia's COVID-19 vaccine 'Sputnik V,' Putin explained, "Experts say the currently supplied vaccine is for citizens aged 18 to 60," adding, "It has not yet been made available to people like me (68 years old)." He further stated, "I am listening to the experts' recommendations and will definitely get vaccinated."

Russia announced that its Ministry of Health-affiliated Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology approved the world's first COVID-19 vaccine, Sputnik V. However, when the approval was announced, it was revealed that only phase 2 clinical trials had been conducted, raising significant safety concerns. Russia recently explained that the final analysis of phase 3 clinical trials confirmed Sputnik V's efficacy at 91.4%, but doubts about its safety have not been fully dispelled.

Regarding Sputnik V, President Putin said, "The Russian vaccine is effective and safe," adding, "There is no reason not to get vaccinated."

President Putin actively defended himself against allegations related to Navalny. Earlier, CNN, the UK investigative journalism outlet Bellingcat, and Germany's Der Spiegel reported that Navalny had been under surveillance by the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) and suggested that there might have been an assassination attempt on him by these agencies.

In response, without mentioning Navalny's name, President Putin said, "If this is true, it means that this patient in the Berlin hospital was receiving support from U.S. intelligence agencies," adding, "In that case, Russian intelligence agencies would have to monitor him." He continued, "This does not mean that they should assassinate him," and questioned, "Who would benefit from such an act?"

He admitted to the surveillance of Navalny but denied the assassination theory. Furthermore, he counterattacked by suggesting that Navalny was receiving support from the U.S. and others.

Regarding the investigative reports, he also stated, "It is about legitimizing information obtained from U.S. intelligence agencies."

On the topic of running in the next presidential election, he maintained his previous stance that no decision has been made yet. President Putin said, "Whether I run or not is not for me to decide, and formally, this permission comes from the people."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.