Hamáček: Debate about Sputnik V off table in view of events

Acting foreign minister Jan Hamáček says discussions about the Czech Republic obtaining the Russian-made Sputnik V vaccine are no longer on the table in view of the current situation. Mr. Hamáček told reporters on Monday that the only route for the country was to focus on vaccines that had been approved by the European Medicines Agency.

The minister had just last week announced a trip to Moscow, scheduled for Monday, to discuss Sputnik V. He later said this had been a smokescreen intended to help keep secret plans to expel Russian Embassy staff identified as spies.