Ukrainian FM against using Russian coronavirus vaccine
KYIV. Jan 12 (Interfax) - Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba is against using a Russian coronavirus vaccine in Ukraine because of the propaganda factor.
"As a member of the government, I would oppose this decision. Because Russia doesn't care about the health of Ukrainians; it cares for pushing its propaganda cliches and ideology in delivering the vaccine... even if the vaccine were efficient," Kuleba said on the 1+1 television channel on Tuesday
This very conversation is a manifestation of the hybrid vaccine debate which has been thrust upon Ukraine, he said.
"Let me be clear: Sputnik's capacities for propaganda are much higher than its actual faculties and efficacy," Kuleba said.
There are no final results from the Sputnik trials, which is a medical indicator, he said.
"There is a much more important factor than the medical factor from Russia's point of view. This is the propaganda factor. This is why they're pushing this story on us and alleging that 'everyone has abandoned you, you can do nothing, but we, fraternal people, are always by your side and ready to help,'" Kuleba said.
Ukrainian pharmaceutical company Biolik in Kharkiv confirmed on January 5 that it had applied to the Ukrainian Health Ministry to register Russia's Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine on December 31, 2020.
Chairman of the Opposition Platform - For Life party's Political Council Viktor Medvedchuk said earlier that Biolik had applied to the Ukrainian Health Ministry and the ministry's State Expert Center on December 30 for state registration of Sputnik V.
The State Expert Center told Interfax on January 4 with reference to its head Mykhailo Babenko, "As of 11 a.m. on January 4, 2021, the center has not received an application from the Biolik company for registering any vaccines for Covid-19."
The Russian Direct Investment Fund said in early December that Biolik was ready to manufacture Sputnik V in Ukraine. Biolik denied the report at the time.