Trump dismisses bio-weapon theory in Russian lab death, plans Putin call

President Trump said he does not believe a "bio-weapon" is involved in the death of a Russian plague laboratory worker, but he has a scheduled phone call with President Vladimir Putin to discuss the issue. Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that Russia insists the situation is under control, though he noted little information is coming out. He drew a comparison to China's initial response to the Covid pandemic, saying Moscow is similarly not saying much. Russia has warned against "false" information as reports emerged of a second suspected case, while the US and UN have urged greater transparency. Trump declined to specify when the call with Putin would occur, noting that the day was Putin's birthday.