Russia President Putin says the country’s response to coronavirus is better than the U.S. [Video]

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• President Vladimir Putin claimed during a state TV interview that Russia is doing a better job compared to the U.S in handling the coronavirus pandemic.
• Putin noted that partisan politics was the main problem in the U.S, which still persists amidst the worldwide health crisis. 
• Russia’s number of COVID-19 cases has reached more than 520,000, making the country third on the highest number of infections.

On Sunday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said the country was recovering from the coronavirus outbreak with marginal fatalities, having managed it superior to the United States, where, he noted partisan politics and agendas were an interference.

Russia was number three worldwide in terms of the total number of COVID-19  cases recorded at 528,964, with Brazil on second and the United States leading the toll.

Russia’s virus-related deaths totaling 6,948 was relatively lower compared to many other nations, such as the U.S, which has now more than 115,000 deaths.

However, the accuracy of statistics in Russia has, at times, been a concern with some observers.

“…We are working rather smoothly and emerging from this situation with the coronavirus confidently and, with minimal losses… But in the (United) States that is not happening,” Putin told state TV.

The Russian President added that the nation’s political structure had adequately addressed the pandemic crisis better than the U.S system because officials at both the federal and county level had worked harmoniously without conflicts unlike those in America.

Putin noted that he couldn’t picture any authorities from Russian regions or local governments saying they won’t obey the national government or President’s directive in dealing with the pandemic.

“It seems to me that the problem (in the United States) is that group, in this case party interests, are put above those of society’s as a whole, above the interests of the people.”

The 67-year-old President also thinks the crisis had shown America’s entrenched internal conflicts since President Donald Trump was voted to the office and the efforts by his rivals to destabilize his presidency.

Putin also denied any allegations that there are constitutional changes that would give him the power to extend his term. He clarified the reforms are not aimed at reinforcing presidential authoritarianism, noting the parliament will have a more significant role after the amendments are implemented.

A countrywide poll on revising the constitution is set from June 25-July 1.

If ratified, the amendments would allow Putin, who was already in power since 1999, to stay for two more terms of six years in the center of Moscow after 2024. The amended laws will now then require him to leave the office.

Source: Reuters