Trump says a call with Putin is set up about Russian lab worker’s death
The former U.S. President announced that he has arranged a private conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the death of a 28‑year‑old employee who worked at an anti‑plague centre in the Siberian city of Irkutsk.
Russian authorities are investigating the incident and have not confirmed if the cause was pneumonic plague. They deny a bio‑weapon link and insist the situation is under control.
Trump dismissed the bioweapon theory, stating that “we’re going to find out soon enough, but we don’t think so.” He further noted that Chinese and Russian officials “are not saying much” but believe the outbreak is contained.
He added that the United States is in “deep discussions” with Russia, though Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said no call has been scheduled. The U.S. has issued a formal diplomatic message requesting additional information.
The World Health Organization, led by Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, urged Russia for timely, complete, and transparent information to clarify conflicting reports and assess public health risks.
WHO’s adviser stated they were seeking verification of a second employee’s pneumonia of undetermined cause. Peskov accused the media of reporting false information.
In the wake of the death, Russia’s health watchdog Rospotrebnadzor announced that the woman died of “pneumonia of an undetermined etiology” and that testing found no microorganisms related to her work.
Meanwhile, neighbouring Mongolia is maintaining continuous surveillance on its border with Russia. Lithuania has prepared treatment measures for possible strain emergence.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said aid was available if the situation turned out more serious than claimed. The incident continues to raise international concern about lab safety and biosecurity.
Map of Russia showing the location of the plague research institute in the city of Shelekhov
