Russia's Putin pushes for tighter global controls on bio-weapons
3 Min Read
The Russian president emphasizes the importance of sovereign equality and multilateral cooperation in countering the misuse of pathogens and toxins in global conflicts.
-
Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting of the Council for strategic development and national projects in Moscow, Russia, Friday, June 6, 2025 (Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Russian President Vladimir Putin has reiterated Russia’s commitment to enhancing global cooperation aimed at preventing the proliferation of biological weapons, calling for more robust international mechanisms under the framework of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention.
Speaking at the Fifth International Scientific and Practical Conference titled “Global Threats to Biological Security: Problems and Solutions," Putin emphasized the urgency of collective action in the face of growing biological security risks.
Putin affirmed that Russia, in cooperation with friendly countries, consistently supports efforts to curb the development and spread of weapons of mass destruction, particularly those involving pathogenic microorganisms and toxins.
“Russia, together with partners from friendly countries, consistently advocates strengthening collective mechanisms to contain the development and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction based on the use of pathogenic microorganisms and toxins,” he stated.
This comes amid heightened concerns over biological threats and limited progress in advancing the objectives of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention, a key international treaty on biological weapons non-proliferation.
Urgency grows amid global instability
President Putin pointed to rising geopolitical tensions and instability as factors that underscore the need for more effective global safeguards.
“Of course, interaction in this area must be carried out with strict observance of the principles of equality and respect for the sovereignty of all states,” he added, stressing the importance of sovereign equality in international cooperation.
The remarks underscore Russia’s long-standing stance on bolstering compliance and enforcement mechanisms within the Russia biological weapons convention framework. Moscow has frequently called for transparency and trust-based cooperation among states party to the Convention.
Russia ready to support international community
Putin also affirmed Russia’s readiness to support the international community in responding to outbreaks of dangerous infectious diseases, regardless of location.
This stance reflects Russia's broader global security cooperation goals, highlighting Moscow’s position as a partner in confronting modern biological and epidemiological challenges.
The global biological threats conference, hosted in Moscow, brought together scientists, policy experts, and officials from multiple countries to address the risks posed by emerging biological technologies and the weaponization of pathogens.
As discussions continue, Russia is positioning itself as a key player in shaping the global response to biological threats, reinforcing its call for a renewed multilateral commitment to biological weapons non-proliferation.
