US imposed sanctions against two research institutes involved in creation of COVID-19 vaccine

The United States decided to impose sanctions on three Russian research institutes, including two research institutes of the Russian Ministry of Defense.

This information is contained in the Federal Register of Official US Government Records.

According to the publication, the Bureau of Industry and Security of the US Department of Commerce has blacklisted the 33rd Central Research and Testing Institute and the 48th Central Research Institute of the Russian Ministry of Defense, as well as the Moscow State Research Institute of Organic Chemistry and Technology.

Allegedly, the American side has reason to suspect these institutions of links with the “Russian program of chemical and biological weapons.”

In June, the 48th Central Research Institute tested the Russian vaccine against coronavirus for toxicity, safety, immunogenicity and protective efficacy. The head of the Gamaleya center, where the drug was developed, thanked the management and staff of the institute for fruitful and high-quality work.

Russian Senator Oleg Morozov in a commentary to RIA Novosti explained Washington’s decision as a failure in the development of a vaccine. In his opinion, the United States wants to close Western markets for the Russian vaccine, but it will be in demand in any case.

Recall that Russia announced the early destruction of its chemical weapons stockpiles and the elimination of their production in September 2017. At the same time, in the United States, which joined the UN Convention on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in 2007, the process of eliminating its national stocks has not yet been completed.