The coronavirus is not sparing in the United States, where more than 4,000 people have already lost their lives. Remarkable and symbolic geopolitical fact, it is Russia which went to the bedside of this country by providing humanitarian aid by plane. The Antonov-124 of the Russian air forces took off on Wednesday for the United States, with masks and protective equipment on board.
A "very nice" shipment for Donald Trump
It was Vladimir Putin himself who offered this help to US President Donald Trump. The two men spoke on the phone on Monday and Donald Trump accepted the Russian proposal. "Russia has sent us a very, very large plane full of medical equipment, which is very nice," he said.
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Moscow did not hesitate to communicate around this operation. In the Russian media, images show the plane being loaded and then taking off. The Kremlin spokesman also stressed that the United States gratefully accepted this humanitarian assistance. But this generosity may not be free. Moscow hopes that the United States will return the favor if Russia runs out of equipment. Donald Trump discussed the possibility of giving respirators to other countries if the United States had too many.
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A willingness to communicate on the Russian side
This "mask diplomacy" also allows Vladimir Putin to improve his image. Last week, Russia sent around 100 virologists to Italy, as well as equipment. The trucks displayed stickers with these printed words: "From Russia, with love".