President Trump told reporters he would help Russia. That was the plan for a hostile nation. Then he changed the tone on Monday.
He said the United States will aid Moscow. This comes after a lab worker died in Siberia. The news broke Monday afternoon at the White House.
He made the offer clear to the press.
The situation involves a deadly outbreak. A worker at a research institute fell ill. She died in undisclosed circumstances. Her name was Daria Shipilova. She was 28 years old.
Authorities in Russia have quarantined dozens. Nearly 200 citizens are under medical watch. This happened over the weekend in eastern Siberia.
Trump believes the microbes have changed. He told the press they got stronger. According to him, a condition once manageable has evolved as microbes became more intelligent and formidable, resembling a military force.
He noted that old cures no longer work. “Even with great advancement, the germs have really become relatively stronger than they were, and things that used to work like a mold here don’t work as well anymore,” he said.
This is a serious health threat. The World Health Organization is assessing the scene. Russian officials say the situation is under control. But Trump sees the bigger risk.
He knows the danger of a plague. He offered help again.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is watching. He told reporters it is a “cause for focus” but not “alarm.” He wants to stay calm.
Rubio noted the travel limits between nations. “There’s very limited travel between the U.S. and Russia, obviously — but like anything else, something like that gets out, it could quickly spread,” he warned.
He confirmed the U.S. is monitoring the event. “We’re watching and monitoring it closely,” Rubio told the press. The New York Post reported Trump’s initial offer. The Washington Examiner covered Rubio’s comments.
Trump has not spoken to Putin yet. He told reporters he had not called his counterpart. But the offer stands if Russia needs it.
