Russia sends plane with medical supplies to U.S. for coronavirus response
Russia is sending a planeload of masks and other supplies to help the United States fight the coronavirus pandemic as the number of cases threatens to top 200,000 across the country.
The plane will arrive today, after President Donald Trump accepted an offer on Monday by Russian President Vladimir Putin to send personal protective equipment and other gear, a senior administration official confirmed to POLITICO.
The Russian government first announced that the plane, an An-124 Ruslan cargo aircraft filled with equipment to help America battle the pandemic, was en route early today.
"Following phone talk between Presidents #Putin & @realDonaldTrump #Russia sends largest cargo aircraft An-124 Ruslan with medical supplies (masks + equipment) to #US to help fight #COVID19 pandemic, save lives of American citizens," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs tweeted. The tweet showed video of boxes being loaded onto a cargo plane.
The U.S. will immediately put to use any needed items that are approved by the Food and Drug Administration, the senior administration official said.
"Likewise, the United States is sending equipment and supplies to many other countries and will continue to do more as we are able," the official said.
