Russian planes and trucks full of relief supplies arrived in Italy this week. Thus, the Kremlin contributes to the Italian fight against the corona virus. The Italians can make good use of the aid, but can Russia not better use the aid goods itself?
In Italy, all help is urgently needed. The country has been hit very hard by the corona virus. On Friday, the country had 80,589 confirmed infections. With 8,215 deaths, Italy is the country with the most succumbed victims.
Political ties between Italy and Russia go back further than this week. Russian gas is of great importance to Italian power plants, and the Rome government has often asked the EU to relieve sanctions against Russia.
However, Italy denies that aid has a political flavor. “This is not geopolitical,” said Italian foreign minister Luigi Di Maio. “There is a country that needs help and a country that offers help. This is not a question of Cold War, but of reality.”
Convoy decorated with message
At least fifteen Russian planes landed at Italian airports this week. Filled with doctors and medical devices. Russia has also shared videos of trucks on their way to Bergamo, the epicenter of the Italian corona crisis. “From Russia with Love” is the message of the convoy, which is decorated with heart-shaped stickers with the national colors of both countries.
It is not only Russia that sends aid to Italy. China and Cuba also deliver loads of medical supplies. On Sunday, a team of Cuban doctors arrived in Lombardy, the worst-hit Italian region. China sent aid earlier in the month.
It is a stark contrast to the aid the Italians receive from NATO and the EU. European countries see that facial mask supplies are slowing down and close borders with neighboring countries. In Italy there is a perception that countries such as Germany and the Netherlands are not very willing to help. A NATO diplomat recognizes opposite Reuters that Italy will receive more support from Russia than from NATO. “It is a great success for Putin.”
“Help without conditions”
Russia has faced EU sanctions since the annexation of Crimea in 2014. Every six months, the 27 Member States must agree to renew the measures that are hard on Russian banks, finance and the energy sector.
The question of whether Russia expects something in return from Italy, such as lifting the sanctions, is dismissed as absurd by the Kremlin. “We are not talking about conditions,” said a spokesman. “Italy needs a lot of help and Russia is doing what it can to help.”
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Putin (in yellow) visits patients. (Photo: Pro Shots)
More frequent Russian stunts
“Russian politics are focused on separating Europe and perhaps this is an easy way to contribute to that,” said Russia historian Nicolaas Kraft van Ermel of the University of Groningen. “It is speculation, of course, but Russia probably hopes that Italy will now make a more favorable statement about Russia within the EU.”
Kraft van Ermel says that Russia tends to do these kind of “stunts”. Then help is provided somewhere and then shown demonstratively. “In addition, there is a second aspect. Russia would like to count on the world stage and pretend that it is a world power. In reality, Russia is a medium-sized world power. In this way, they pretend to be a real world power.”
Number of infections in Russia is increasing
Although Russia is sending goods to Italy, the country is seeing an increase in corona infections this week. Friday, the counter is at 1,036 confirmed infections, but it is unclear how far the virus has spread in the country. Moscow seems to be particularly affected. This week, Putin has taken measures to contain the spread. For example, next week is not a working week and the shops and catering establishments in Moscow will remain closed. Putin said he hopes the measures will defeat the corona virus in two to three months.
“For a long time, Russia has pretended that there was no corona problem, although some travel restrictions have already been imposed that affected non-Russians,” explains Kraft van Ermel. “The numbers are so low that I wonder if they are correct. They are now working on it, for example, Putin was in a protective suit visiting corona patients this week.”
Follow the latest developments around the virus in us live blog.
The coronavirus in short
- The coronavirus mainly spreads from person to person via sneezing and cough drops. The chance of becoming infected through surfaces such as door handles is small. This chance decreases if you wash your hands often.
- You can considerably reduce the chance of spreading by keeping at least 1.5 meters away from others.
- An infected person infects two to three others on average. Precautions are necessary to contain this.
- The vast majority of patients have mild (flu-like) complaints.
- Almost all deaths involve the elderly or other vulnerable persons, such as heart, lung or diabetes patients. If everyone complies with the measures, this reduces their risks.
- Read here what precautions you should take.
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