Trump: US Doesn't See Russia Plague as Biological Weapon

US President Donald Trump said Wednesday he does not believe the plague in Russia is a biological weapon, as Moscow faces growing calls for transparency following the death of an employee at an anti-plague institute in Irkutsk, Siberia. Trump's statement came in response to a question at the White House, adding that Russia claims the situation is under control but provides little information, similar to China during the coronavirus pandemic. He demanded Moscow share more details and reiterated plans to call Russian President Vladimir Putin. The US State Department formally requested additional information from Russia on Tuesday. The developments follow the death of a 28-year-old researcher at the Irkutsk institute, possibly from pneumonic plague after a lab accident involving a broken test tube, with around 200 people potentially exposed. Russian authorities say the cause of death is undetermined, while neighboring countries like China and Mongolia have taken precautionary measures. The WHO stated it lacks a full picture to assess risks and urged transparency.