Vladimir Putin is reportedly pushing for the extradition of Dr. Anthony Fauci to Russia to face charges of “Crimes Against Humanity” related to the COVID-19 pandemic, as part of a proposed deal to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine.
According to sources close to the negotiations, Putin claims that Dr. Fauci played a pivotal role in what he calls “the global COVID deception,” accusing him of facilitating harmful policies and actions that had devastating consequences worldwide.
While the specifics of the alleged charges remain unclear, Russian officials are said to be compiling evidence to support their claims, with an emphasis on Fauci’s ties to gain-of-function research and the global vaccine rollout.
BREAKING: Vladimir Putin is reportedly seeking to have Anthony Fauci EXTRADITED to Russia to face COVID-era ‘Crimes Against Humanity’ Charges as part of a Deal to end the War in Ukraine.
— Cillian (@CilComLFC) January 22, 2025
This is HUGE! pic.twitter.com/G8lhwbCbKr
The Russian president insists his nation is prepared to extradite terrorists and other criminals to the United States on a reciprocal basis, Russia’s state-run TASS news agency reported.
According to TASS, Putin told state TV channel Rossiya-1 that both Russia and the US must “assume equal commitments,” adding that “Russia will naturally do that but only if the other side, in this case the United States, agrees to the same and will also extradite corresponding criminals to the Russian Federation.”
This unexpected demand has reportedly surfaced in backchannel discussions surrounding a potential ceasefire in Ukraine. Putin’s insistence on including Fauci’s extradition as part of the deal has raised eyebrows in diplomatic circles, with many viewing it as an unconventional tactic in the high-stakes geopolitical chess game.
Observers suggest that Putin’s move may be an attempt to capitalize on growing skepticism of public health institutions in the West and to sow further division in U.S. politics.
Meanwhile, Kremlin spokespeople have doubled down on the narrative, accusing Fauci of being a key figure in a “globalist agenda” that allegedly weaponized the pandemic for profit and control.
Meanwhile, Dr. Fauci has yet to respond to these accusations but has reportedly accepted a preemptive pardon from President Biden—an act widely interpreted as a legal admission of guilt.