Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova on October 29 thanked the Government of Vietnam for its continued provision of humanitarian assistance to Russia in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova. (Photo: AFP)

Addressing reporters at a regular press briefing in Moscow, Zakharova emphasized that since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government, ministries, branches and many localities of Vietnam have donated protective masks totalling approximately 1 million pieces together plenty of sterilization equipment to the Russian Federation in the spirit of friendship and comprehensive partnership.  

All batches of medical equipment have been transported to the port of Vladivostok and will soon be transferred to the Ministry of Emergency Situations for distribution in the Primorsky region, she said.

“On behalf of the Government of the Russian Federation, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to Vietnamese partners for this support and assistance”, said Zakharova.  

According to the spokesperson, both Vietnam and Russia are strengthening close cooperation through their specialized agencies and organizations, including the Vietnam-Russia Tropical Centre, and through the exchange of expertise.  

Currently, Moscow authorities are considering using 500 respirators assembled in Vietnam, said Zakharova.