Russian MP: Europe puts politics, rather than people's lives, above everything else

"There are double standards in Europe, and we have been talking about it for already 20 years. We observe it absolutely everywhere: in the so-called democracy, equality, and rights. Unfortunately, today, Europe does not view Azerbaijan and Russia as equal partners. We are witnessing a similar situation in vaccine distribution. They put the policy above everything else. Not the mind, not expediency, not people's lives, but political advantages," Yury Oleinikov, First Deputy Chairman of the Committee of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation for International Affairs, told the Russian Bureau of Report.

He also shared his opinion about why such a situation emerges and what has caused the scandal related to the dramatic miscalculations in the COVAX Assistance Program.

"It has to do with traditions and constant striving of the West to deprive us of the opportunity to speak from any rostrums equally. I know it from the OSCE, where we hear the 'yelling' that does not reflect the reality. The same is observed in medicine."

Commenting on the Azerbaijan-initiated resolution passed in the UN, Oleinikov expressed his support.

"I fully share Azerbaijan's position. It is rational and right. We need to say our word, achieve equality, including in the distribution of vaccines against COVID-19 and in approaches to financing medical programs."