Bavaria halts Russian jab production plans

"But even if both were there, it is inconceivable from our point of view that this project can now be realised. It is over," Soeder told the state's parliament.

Last year, the Bavarian health ministry signed a letter of intent with Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), which markets the vaccine, to buy 2.5 million doses of Sputnik V once approved by the EMA.

Russian pharmaceutical firm R-Pharm set up a production facility in Bavaria to create regional manufacturing capacities in Germany that was expected to produce up to 8-10 million vaccine doses monthly.

Former German health minister Jens Spahn said in April that Germany was negotiating with Russia an advance purchase agreement of its Sputnik V vaccine, which is still pending approval from the EU.

Neither R-Pharm Germany nor the federal health ministry were immediately available for comment.