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A somewhat buried article on the Russia Today (RT) English-language site, and more prominently shown on the Russian site, notes that Russia sent a plane full of needed helpful supplies and equipment to help the United States combat the coronavirus pandemic and help its people. On the morning of March 31st, the USA has over 164,000 cases – twice as many confirmed cases of the virus as China presently is reporting.
From the English-language piece (with slight corrections for language):
US President Donald Trump […] praised Moscow for sending a ‘very large planeload of things’ to help fight the spread of the coronavirus and treat sickened patients, noting that China and other nations had also chipped in.
“We’ve had great relationships with a lot of countries,” the president told reporters at his daily Covid-19 briefing on Monday, adding: “China sent us some stuff, which was terrific. Russia sent us a very, very large planeload of things, medical equipment, which was very nice.”
Trump did not specify what kind of aid Moscow or Beijing had provided, however, and failed to name any of the “other countries” that had also sent supplies.
The comment was somewhat puzzling, given that Russian officials have yet to announce any such aid shipment to the US, and a State Department email recently sent to American diplomats stationed in Europe in search of supplies – obtained by Foreign Policy magazine last week – explicitly ruled out Russia, stressing that the request applied to countries hosting US embassies “minus Moscow.”
Russia military cargo plane, perhaps the one that carried supplies to fight coronavirus to the US. courtesy mil.ru.
The president’s off-hand remark about the aid did, however, follow a call with his Russian counterpart, President Vladimir Putin, in which the two discussed their mutual concern over the fast-spreading virus. Russian Ambassador to Washington Anatoly Antonov had also previously signaled that his country was “ready to help the United States” if needed.
Moscow last week sent more than 100 medical experts and nearly a dozen aircraft loaded with equipment to Italy – including ventilators, disinfecting supplies, as well as face masks and other protective gear – to combat the country’s own outbreak, among the most severe in Europe. Though Italian media reports had slammed the aid as “useless” and mused that it came with malicious and hidden intentions, Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio insisted the assistance was a pure “act of solidarity.”
Russia thus far has been spared the brunt of the coronavirus pandemic, with present reporting placing the number of confirmed cases in the country at 1,836. Moscow and its surrounding region have by far the greatest concentration of cases (1,345 combined) and the capital city is under a strict lockdown for at least this week in an effort to halt or slow the spread of the disease.
With the United States looking to be set to have a simply massive caseload of this disease, the resources of the country’s government have been aligned in a massive cooperative alliance with the main manufacturers in the US, who are now retooling their factories to produce needs for dealing with the pandemic. In three weeks the number of cases in the US has simply exploded, and the eventual slowing of this rise in cases has not been indicated yet.
Russia’s generosity is well appreciated in reality, even though the American media appear to be conveniently ignoring this bit of news.
The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of this site. This site does not give financial, investment or medical advice.
By maintaining proper boundaries, Russia is able to afford to send US aid. There’s a lesson to be had here.
Also, notice that Trump’s negotiation tactics (disagree w/o getting nasty) compared to (D)irtbag tactics (hate and vilification if they don’t get their way) makes friendly gestures more likely.
Peter
March 31, 2020
As the US in general considers Russia an enemy, and any action by Russia vs. the USA is considered a likely treasonous act or at least viewed with suspicion – What tf business has Russia to support the USA with anything? If the supposedly richest Nation cannot take care of their own population – just let the buggers die.. To support a country that is engaged in economic warfare against you is the absolute pinnacle of foolishness and I for one will never forgive Mr. Putin this treasonous act. May he rot in hell. “Russia’s generosity is well appreciated in… Read more »
Russia does not hurt the average citizen of other nations. Besides, just think of the PR hit. All the abuse the US throws at Russia, trying to demonise her on the world stage and to their people.
How will the people react, knowing nasty Russia has sent them a plane full of aid.
People who are in denial will still demonise, unfortunately. Those who are neutral or at least not invested heavily may be swayed, at least question their biases.
It doesn’t matter how “the people” react. Don’t you guys get it.? What I read here is just weak kneed pacifist friggin response that somehow assumes that contrary to all evidence the actual or pretend Government of the US gives a shite about the humanitarian response to anybody the declared their enemy, be it Iran, Russia, China, Venezuela. I find it amazing that anyone of a sound mind and some political acumen can actual, really actually think that the USA would change one iota in its regime change policies because a weakling like Mr. Putin seems to think he by… Read more »
Peter, how you treat others when they are down shows your true character. This action goes well beyond the US. It sends signals far and wide. Someone who has a narrow world view will always fail to see that. In the end actions speak louder than words, and kind actions are remembered in kind. At the very least will sow some doubts onto any unkind words that may rise again in the future. So an insurance of sorts. Although more of an ongoing effort and set of gestures that has been typical and consistent during Putin’s leadership. Ask uncle google… Read more »
The actions are the attempt to reason that Putin tries to engage the USA ever since his speech in Munich n 2007 where he addressed the emergence of a multipolar world, an attempt that was of course by actions if not words roundly rejected by the USA. Is it not time by now that Mr. President Putin openly admits his failure, and tries to no longer -because of utter futility – to further engage in ridiculous attempts to stretch out a hand but sets clear inviolable boundaries, refrain from further niceties and treat the USA as the enemy it sees… Read more »
Peter , You have missed the bus by not reading between the lines , maybe for the last few months even . Lets go back to the M.E. when the US fired all those missiles into Syria , when Trump said that Assad killed his own people with chemical weapons , did you remember seeing only a few missiles ( tomahawks ) actually made it to the Airbase , the rest were killed by the Syrian Anti – missile System , the ones that made it exploded on contact with the ground and couldnt even penetrate the concrete runway !!… Read more »
William H Warrick III MD
March 31, 2020
International Solidarity is part of Russian DNA.
John Ellis
March 31, 2020
Empire USA was created by the rich nobility of England to enslave the slow of thought laboring-class by poverty, which causes the 50% working poor to refuse to vote and allows the 25% most intelligent to be the voting majority and to win all elections.
For God created greed driven humans to reach the ultimate conclusion of evil.
since God created man in his own image, what does that say about God?
AMHants
March 31, 2020
Interesting how the article had to quote LA Stampa. The writer could easily have checked out the videos on South Front, with the Russian teams working in Italy and exactly what they took with them. Surprised CNN were not using images of the Russian team, when US media were claiming images of Italian hospitals were American.
The Russian cargo plane is due to leave Russia tonight. President Putin asked Trump if he wanted help and Trump accepted. Watch the media freak out.
Did the US ever thank Russia, for the $12 million ‘Tear of Grief’ memorial?
Seraphim Hanisch
By maintaining proper boundaries, Russia is able to afford to send US aid. There’s a lesson to be had here.
Also, notice that Trump’s negotiation tactics (disagree w/o getting nasty) compared to (D)irtbag tactics (hate and vilification if they don’t get their way) makes friendly gestures more likely.
As the US in general considers Russia an enemy, and any action by Russia vs. the USA is considered a likely treasonous act or at least viewed with suspicion – What tf business has Russia to support the USA with anything? If the supposedly richest Nation cannot take care of their own population – just let the buggers die.. To support a country that is engaged in economic warfare against you is the absolute pinnacle of foolishness and I for one will never forgive Mr. Putin this treasonous act. May he rot in hell. “Russia’s generosity is well appreciated in… Read more »
Guess he will miss your friendship.
Russia does not hurt the average citizen of other nations. Besides, just think of the PR hit. All the abuse the US throws at Russia, trying to demonise her on the world stage and to their people.
How will the people react, knowing nasty Russia has sent them a plane full of aid.
People who are in denial will still demonise, unfortunately. Those who are neutral or at least not invested heavily may be swayed, at least question their biases.
It doesn’t matter how “the people” react. Don’t you guys get it.? What I read here is just weak kneed pacifist friggin response that somehow assumes that contrary to all evidence the actual or pretend Government of the US gives a shite about the humanitarian response to anybody the declared their enemy, be it Iran, Russia, China, Venezuela. I find it amazing that anyone of a sound mind and some political acumen can actual, really actually think that the USA would change one iota in its regime change policies because a weakling like Mr. Putin seems to think he by… Read more »
Peter, how you treat others when they are down shows your true character. This action goes well beyond the US. It sends signals far and wide. Someone who has a narrow world view will always fail to see that. In the end actions speak louder than words, and kind actions are remembered in kind. At the very least will sow some doubts onto any unkind words that may rise again in the future. So an insurance of sorts. Although more of an ongoing effort and set of gestures that has been typical and consistent during Putin’s leadership. Ask uncle google… Read more »
The actions are the attempt to reason that Putin tries to engage the USA ever since his speech in Munich n 2007 where he addressed the emergence of a multipolar world, an attempt that was of course by actions if not words roundly rejected by the USA. Is it not time by now that Mr. President Putin openly admits his failure, and tries to no longer -because of utter futility – to further engage in ridiculous attempts to stretch out a hand but sets clear inviolable boundaries, refrain from further niceties and treat the USA as the enemy it sees… Read more »
Peter , You have missed the bus by not reading between the lines , maybe for the last few months even . Lets go back to the M.E. when the US fired all those missiles into Syria , when Trump said that Assad killed his own people with chemical weapons , did you remember seeing only a few missiles ( tomahawks ) actually made it to the Airbase , the rest were killed by the Syrian Anti – missile System , the ones that made it exploded on contact with the ground and couldnt even penetrate the concrete runway !!… Read more »
International Solidarity is part of Russian DNA.
Empire USA was created by the rich nobility of England to enslave the slow of thought laboring-class by poverty, which causes the 50% working poor to refuse to vote and allows the 25% most intelligent to be the voting majority and to win all elections.
For God created greed driven humans to reach the ultimate conclusion of evil.
since God created man in his own image, what does that say about God?
Interesting how the article had to quote LA Stampa. The writer could easily have checked out the videos on South Front, with the Russian teams working in Italy and exactly what they took with them. Surprised CNN were not using images of the Russian team, when US media were claiming images of Italian hospitals were American.
The Russian cargo plane is due to leave Russia tonight. President Putin asked Trump if he wanted help and Trump accepted. Watch the media freak out.
Did the US ever thank Russia, for the $12 million ‘Tear of Grief’ memorial?