© Reuters / Russian Defense Ministry handout / Alexey EreshkoTrucks carrying medical supplies are loaded into cargo planes bound for Italy, hit by an outbreak of coronavirus, at a military airfield near Moscow. Reuters / Russian Defense Ministry handout / Alexey Ereshko
Russophobic pundits and red-baiting blue-checks are gasping in horror and floating bizarre scenarios as Moscow prepares to send a planeload of much-needed medical supplies to the US amid its worsening coronavirus epidemic.
News that a Russian cargo plane laden with medical supplies and personal protection equipment would soon depart for the US, a gift from the Kremlin to its coronavirus-stricken rival, has the usual suspects running around in circles screeching about ulterior motives.
While President Donald Trump's announcement on Monday that "Russia sent us a very, very large planeload of things, medical equipment, which was nice" took many by surprise, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed the shipment on Tuesday, explaining that Vladimir Putin had asked Trump if the US needed help and he had accepted. Peskov added that he hoped the US would be able to return the favor if it became necessary.
In the minds of the reds-under-beds crowd, this was an unacceptable "propaganda ploy." How dare Trump allow Russia to supply Americans with lifesaving medical equipment?!
Others questioned whether the aid really existed in the first place, insisting that Russia didn't actually have the supplies it was sending.
The Wall Street Journal accused Russia of
"Viruspolitik," changing the headline of an earlier story about the "political shift" caused by Moscow's delivery of medical aid to hard-hit Italy.
No scenario was too outlandish for Russiagaters. Newsweek contributor Olga Lautman hinted that Putin might have slipped in something nasty among the face masks and testing kits,
which she assured everyone were defective.While she didn't say what exactly the unpleasant surprise might be, she hinted darkly that it (or they - the unexpected passenger could be a person,
she implied, albeit one who is allergic to commercial air travel and likes to fly in cargo holds) "will most likely have to do with elections."
Replies to the high-profile Russiagaters' tweets were even more unhinged, from accusing Putin of a "coverup" to warnings that the equipment would come pre-infected with coronavirus.It's not that the US doesn't desperately need medical equipment, of course - they just don't want Russian cooties. A State Department email sent to diplomats in Europe last week and obtained by Foreign Policy confirmed that US officials had been asked to source supplies from any country other than Russia. With over 181,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus as of Tuesday, one might think that beggars can't be choosers.
The US isn't the only country that has received help from unexpected quarters. After mostly getting the cold shoulder from its neighbors and the EU, coronavirus-ravaged Italy reached out to Russia, which obliged by sending medical teams and equipment, including 600 direly-needed ventilators, to help battle the outbreak. The thought of Moscow lending a helping hand in the heart of Europe was too much for some to bear, however, and the usual cadre of Atlantic Council-adjacent NATO-botherers focused on circulating an anonymously-sourced story about most of the aid being "
useless" and calling Moscow "Bad Samaritans."
Reader Comments
Trump says Russia sent 'very, very large planeload' of supplies to US for Covid-19, not planning nationwide quarantine - WHO fear-mongers
Russia and China have sent various supplies, including medical equipment, to the United States to help battle the novel coronavirus disease, US President Donald Trump said during a daily White...Putin being the statesman that he is asked for permission to give a gift, he did not impose this gesture of well being upon the US. And Trump agreed. Permission is a wonderful and often forgotten thing, often we think we know what is best for another and just impose our ideas on them. Trump recognized the offer for what it was, a kind gesture to help another, and accepted - that takes humility. It gives me hope for our new world order.
With regard to all those who are suspicious, looking for evil intent where there is none, the US government, CIA, FBI, the pentagon, the Dems and some republicans, as well as the MSMedia have much to answer for; those who have influenced public opinion to believe Russia is an enemy and not to be trusted have been running a smear campaign forever to maintain the MIC and never ending wars. It is on your heads and (hearts).
tears of joy are a good thing.
I share them with you.
Less than a year before his death, Harman bought Newsweek magazine from The Washington Post Company, paying $1 and accepting the assumption of $47 million in liabilities.
Only a complete idiot would trust newsweek as a credible source of information.
I couldn't stop laughing.
Most of western rhetoric and blame is 'projection'; Zionists blame everyone else for what they themselves do in secret. So all those Americans who support Israel, either in secret or in public will be the first to cast blame on anyone who does not fit the plan.
The problem is, it doesn't work both ways. For instance, when 6 million Syrians or Yemeni's or Iraqis or Libyans have died at the hands of the Zionists, will we be told it is a Holocaust?