MOSCOW, January 24. /TASS/. Recognition of the Russian coronavirus vaccine Sputnik V by Budapest evidences quality of the pharmaceutical and strengthens the Russian image worldwide, Chairman of the Board of the Foundation for Development and Support of the Valdai Discussion Club Andrei Bystritskiy told TASS.

"Hungary simply confirms the fact the Russian vaccine is at least not inferior or is even better than others and, as assumed, with a sufficiently long effective period," Bystritskiy says.

"[The position] of Russia appears better than before to date. Russia has strengthened its reputation; contacts of our medical specialists are developing in this area," the expert noted.

Russia has developed a functional vaccine, the analyst says. "Not merely a single one at the same time. There are two of them and there will be three most probably. This is an achievement. It evidences that we have science and this should be encouraged by all means and researchers should be supported and stimulated," he noted.

"Thirdly, it turned out the healthcare, management, distribution and control system in Russia is functioning at a fairly high level. The ideal is not present anywhere but the system works nevertheless," Bystritskiy noted.

Filing of the application by Russia for the authorization to use the Sputnik V vaccine in the European Union is a proper step, the expert added.

The Sputnik V vaccine is currently registered in Russia, Belarus, Hungary, Serbia, Argentina, Bolivia, Algeria, Palestine, Venezuela, Paraguay and Turkmenistan.