19 May 2020 18:27

Russia opposed to attempts to turn WHO into vehicle for settling political scores - diplomat

MOSCOW. May 19 (Interfax) - Russia objects to attempts by the United States to turn the World Health Organization (WHO) into a forum for settling political scores, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said.

"We are opposed to politicizing everything that concerns the spread of Covid-19. We are in favor of finding solutions to questions that a number of countries might have in such a way so as to be able to, first, move ahead toward a more productive resolution of problems related to the pandemic, and second, consolidate the WHO's role and not to allow it to be weakened and turned into a vehicle for settling political scores," Ryabkov told journalists on Tuesday.

"Unfortunately, these three elements that we wouldn't like to materialize have been turned into political priorities pursued by the U.S. and some of its closest allies," he said.

Russia is working closely together with China on the coronavirus pandemic, and Russia has no reason to mistrust China's information and methods, Ryabkov said.

"Therefore, professionals should set the record straight. The WHO can't be turned into a puck to be moved across the ice rink in pursuit of completely different goals, other than the goal of the best possible interaction in fighting the pandemic," he said.