President Trump said he does not believe a suspected plague incident in Russia's Irkutsk region involves a bioweapon and plans to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, according to CNBC.
Key facts
- Nearly 200 people were placed under medical observation this week in Russia's Irkutsk region over suspected plague exposure, according to CNBC.
- The Irkutsk region is in eastern Siberia.
- Trump said he does not believe the incident is a bioweapon, according to CNBC.
- Trump plans to speak with President Putin on Wednesday, according to CNBC.
President Donald Trump said he does not believe a suspected plague incident in Russia is linked to a bioweapon, according to CNBC.
Nearly 200 people were placed under medical observation this week in Russia’s Irkutsk region, located in eastern Siberia, over suspected exposure to plague, CNBC reported.
Trump indicated he intends to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, the outlet reported.
CNBC’s report did not detail the source of the suspected exposure, the condition of those under observation, or the agenda of the planned call between the two leaders.
Why it matters
A plague scare in a nuclear-armed country can raise international concern, making public statements from world leaders notable. Key details about the incident and the planned leaders' call remain unconfirmed.
Frequently asked questions
What happened in Russia's Irkutsk region?
According to CNBC, nearly 200 people were placed under medical observation earlier this week in the Irkutsk region in eastern Siberia over suspected exposure to plague.
Does Trump think the incident is a bioweapon?
No. CNBC reported that Trump does not believe the plague incident is a bioweapon.
When does Trump plan to speak with Putin?
CNBC reported that Trump plans to speak with President Putin on Wednesday.