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Sputnik V is considered effective and safe, but the Russian vaccine is politically controversial.
Foto: Pavel Golovkin (AP)
At first glance, everything is very simple: we all want to get rid of the pandemic and hope that vaccinations bring back our old lives. Russia also has a vaccine with Sputnik V.that is effective, safe, easy to use and cheap. What more do you want?
But it’s not that easy. Politicianberall say vaccines have nothing to do with politics. The opposite is the case: in dealing with Russia everything has to do with politics. And the emotions go high. After Opposition leader Alexei Navalny was poisoned and arrested above all. After the attack with the neurotoxin Novitschok, the West threatened harsh punishments, and almost nothing happened. Russia, for its part, threatensthat relations with the West would be severed if new sanctions were adopted.
On the high moral steed
And with that in mind, do you want to take your time to talk about the vaccine? It already shows that that doesn’t work the eternal turmoil over the Nordstream 2 pipelinewhich is supposed to supply Germany and Europe with gas. With every argument, and there are now countless ones, threateningen European politicians Russia with consequences. Then you build Yes, go on. Ein construction freeze woulddedhe European investors in the end cost dearly.
But sAs long as the West sits on the high moral horse and at the same time makes an exception to its principles when is for hisn Advantage goes, has President Vladimir Putin nothing to fear. Such hypocritical maneuvers in Russia have squandered all credibility, not only in the Kremlin, but also among the people. The Russians see all the good advice on democracy and political freedom as hollow, self-righteous chatter.
If the West wants the Russian vaccine without exposing itself to blackmail, it must rely on more cooperation and less confrontation.
opinionZita Affentranger
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