Scheduled call with Putin to discuss possible case of pneumonic plague in Russia: Trump

President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that he is set to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding a potential case of pneumonic plague at a Siberian research facility. At a press conference, Trump indicated that the call would occur "very soon." Health officials are probing the death of an employee at the anti-plague institute, which they have linked to pneumonia of unknown origin.

When asked about the U.S. intelligence community's perspective on the matter, Trump stated that the U.S. is engaged in "very deep discussions" about the situation. He added that a report on the matter could be released the following day. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported on Tuesday that the case posed a "very low" risk of spreading outside Russia.

The United Nations health agency confirmed it was in touch with Russian authorities following the report of a woman's death last week at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute in Siberia and the Far East. On Monday, Trump expressed the U.S.'s willingness to assist Russia with the situation, describing the disease as "rough" and noting its potential to evolve into a formidable adversary.

The call takes place as the Trump administration prepares to meet a deadline on Oct. 18 to determine whether to impose sanctions on Russian entities, per the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, which Trump signed into law on Sept. 18. Ukraine has provided the administration and Congress with a list of Russian companies, vessels, and individuals it wishes to target with potential U.S. sanctions under the legislation.