Use of Sputnik V in Spain hinges on approval by European authorities On August 11, 2020, Russia became the first country worldwide to register a vaccine against the coronavirus which was named Sputnik V MADRID, February 1. /TASS/. A possibility of the use of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine against the coronavirus in Spain hinges on the approval by the European Medicines Agency, Spanish Foreign Minister Arancha Gonzalez Laya said in an interview with La Sexta TV channel on Monday. Read also "The answer to this question is in the hands of European healthcare bodies," the minister explained. "Let’s not forget that it is precisely them that guarantee that all vaccines that can be used in the European space have passed effectiveness and safety controls," she added.