Trump Thinks It's ‘Very Nice’ of Putin to Send That Giant Planeload of Coronavirus Aid

Emily Ferris, research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute think tank, told VICE News that both the American and Italian aid deployments were intended to signal Russian strength in the face of the coronavirus crisis, even as the Kremlin grapples with a growing outbreak at home. According to the official count, Russia has 2,337 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 17 deaths, although critics have accused the government of hiding the true figures. “I certainly don’t think it’s altruistic. I don’t think anyone believes Russia is some Santa Claus delivering gifts around the world for anything other than pragmatic purposes,” Ferris said.