President Vladimir Putin said on August 11 that the first Russian-produced COVID-19 vaccine, developed by Moscow's Gamaleya Institute, had received regulatory approval from the country's health ministry.

Russia thus became the first country in the world to register a COVID-19 vaccine. The Russian president pointed out the vaccine had gone through all the necessary checks and one of his daughters took it. The speed highlights Russia's determination for an effective product but the announcement has stirred concerns that it may be putting national prestige before science and safety.

Russia's health ministry said clinical trials were not yet complete and a third stage trial involving more than 2,000 people was to start on August 12. The third stage trial refers to trials involving large numbers of human test subjects and is usually the last step before regulatory approval.

But how is the vaccine testing so far? How would Russia make sure that the newest vaccine addresses problems existing in different parts of the world? CGTN Host Tian Wei talked about the importance of international cooperation with Kirill Dmitriev, the CEO of the Russian Director Investment Fund, the company that bankrolled the vaccine efforts.

"Russia is a big partner with China. We are big partners with other nations to jointly produce a vaccine, and we will have clinical trials in many nations. Russia will have clinical trials in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Philippines, and maybe Brazil, it will be widely tested around the world," said Dmitriev.

He added that Russia benefited from working very closely with China on a number of issues, and he believes that countries need to work together, not be divided in this fight because no matter where the vaccine originated, the vaccine is going to protect all human beings.

In terms of vaccine cooperation, there have been lots of exchanges with Chinese scientists and corporations. Dmitriev believes that China's research on COVID-19 vaccines will have positive results. Also, it is a good example of "how countries can work together and support each other rather than trying to attack each other" in this very important fight against COVID-19.

Facing rhetoric that there is a supply to one country or certain groups first before it is available to the other countries, Dmitriev responded to the so-called "vaccine nationalism" by saying that it is very important that the vaccine should be shared very widely. And Russia has received inquiries from 20 nations and it is also working on some humanitarian aid projects with partners in some of the poorest countries.

Dmitriev highlighted the importance of the vaccine being distributed broadly. It is crucial that different countries have access to it. Russia already showed this. For example, Avifavir drugs produced in the country have been delivered to 15 other nations. But to the contrary, 90 percent of Remdesivir, the U.S. drug, has been purchased by the U.S. itself, with other countries left out and unable to buy the drug. 

"We believe it's very important to be fair, and different countries need to have access to the vaccines. We are working very hard on this. We know China is, as well," Dmitriev emphasized.

World Insight with Tian Wei is an international platform for debate and intelligent discussion. It is the meeting point of both the highly influential and rising voices, facilitated by host Tian Wei. It provides nutrition to form your own thoughts and ideas through 45 minutes of live debate and interviews.

Schedule: Monday-Saturday

Time (GMT): 1415, 2015

(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at opinions@cgtn.com.)