What did Donald Trump say about whether the Russian plague laboratory worker’s death involved a biological weapon?

Donald Trump said the death did not appear to be linked to a biological weapon, while adding that the United States would find out soon enough.

Why are the United States and the United Nations urging Russia to be more transparent about the plague laboratory death?

The United States and the United Nations are seeking more information because Russia has said the situation is under control while releasing little detail, and reports have emerged of a second suspected case.

What did Donald Trump plan to discuss with Vladimir Putin about the Russian plague situation?

Trump said he had scheduled a phone call with Putin to discuss the situation, but he did not disclose when the conversation would take place.

Trump says 'we don't think' Russian plague is bio-weapon

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Summary

U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday in Washington that the death of a Russian plague laboratory worker did not appear to involve a biological weapon. Russia warned against false information as reports emerged of a second suspected case. Trump said Russia claimed the situation was under control but was releasing little information, while the United States and the United Nations urged greater transparency. He said he had a phone call scheduled with Russian President Vladimir Putin about the issue but did not provide a time.

Key Facts

Trump compared Russia’s limited disclosures with China’s initial response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Russia’s plague research institute worker died after developing pneumonia of unknown cause, according to reports cited in related coverage.
Russian authorities told the World Health Organization that no plague cases had been recorded in Irkutsk.
Trump noted that Wednesday was Vladimir Putin’s birthday.

By AFP

Published Oct 8, 2026 2:59 am KST

President Donald Trump speaks with reporters on the South Lawn as he returns to the White House in Washington, DC on Tuesday. UPI-Yonhap

WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that the death of a Russian plague laboratory worker did not appear to be linked to a biological weapon.

"We don't think so. We're going to find out soon enough, but we don't think so," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office when asked if a "bio-weapon" was involved.

Russia warned earlier against "false" information as reports emerged of a second suspected case. The U.S. and UN have urged Russia to be more transparent.

Trump said Russia insisted it had the situation under control, but added that not much information was coming out.

"If you listen to them, it's under control. But you know, people have said that before about other things," Trump said of Moscow's response.

Referring to China's initial response to the Covid pandemic, Trump added: "Well, China didn't say much, and Russia is not saying much either. But they do say they have it very much under control."

Trump reiterated that he has a phone call scheduled with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the issue, but would not say when.

"Today is Vladimir Putin's birthday," Trump added.

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