Claims of western countries that Russia and China are indulging in hybrid "vaccine war" or exploiting vaccines as a geopolitical tool are regrettable, said Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

Lavrov made the statement Thursday in a joint news conference with Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tleuberdi after their talks, Sputnik reported.

"This is a reflection of the problems to do with vaccination in the West, including in the EU," he said. "We never make critical statements unreasonably, and we never rejoice at their misfortunes, including when it comes to vaccines."

While "our President spoke about cooperation and the rallying of efforts," Lavrov said, Western politicians, see the situation in a different light, "judging by their reactions."

"We are collaborating with those who want this (cooperation), who care for the health of their people," he added.

On the same day, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said the vaccine is a weapon to fight the global pandemic and save lives, not a tool for political maneuvers at a regular press briefing in response to Taiwan's claims that China will aid Paraguay with vaccines if the country severs diplomatic ties with Taiwan.

Due to the limited number of COVID-19 vaccines approved by the World Health Organization (WHO), there have been many criticisms about vaccine nationalism since media reports are highlighting that vaccines are being blocked or distributed unevenly. 

During an interview with Bloomberg, Indonesian President Joko Widodo slammed richer nations for vaccine nationalism, saying that "poor countries, developing countries, developed countries must be given equal treatment. If not, the pandemic will not end."

(With input from Xinhua)