OREANDA-NEWS. Germany's decision not to count those vaccinated against the coronavirus by Sputnik V as vaccinated is politically motivated and aimed at containing Russia, MP Fedot Tumusov said.

"This is a purely political decision. The West is trying to restrain us. Their strategy is to restrain Russia," the deputy told Duma TV.

The parliamentarian recalled that Russia became the first country to create a vaccine against coronavirus, and now has four effective drugs, which no other country has.

"The countries of the West, naturally, are trying to hold back our primacy and our science, our industry in this direction by illegitimate, by some other methods," Tumusov added.

Earlier, a spokesman for the German Ministry of Health said at a briefing that Berlin does not recognize those vaccinated with the Russian Sputnik V vaccine, since it has not yet been approved for use in the European Union.

Since March 4, Sputnik V has been undergoing a gradual examination procedure at the European Medicines Agency (EMA). A few days ago, the media, citing sources, reported that the approval of the vaccine in the EU would be delayed due to the fact that the deadlines for submitting the requested information were not met. At the same time, the press service of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), in response to this publication, reported that Sputnik V could receive registration in the EU within two months, the GCP (good clinical practice) EMA inspection has been completed, the agency provided positive feedback and the delays are not true.

The RDIF stressed that the timing of Sputnik V's receipt of the EMA registration "has become the subject of constant speculation by the press, referring to anonymous sources of information." The fund believes that such rumors "slow down the registration process."