Russia Denies Claims of Secret Trump Calls, Dismisses as Bogus Story

Photo : AFP

Russia has responded to recent reports suggesting a special connection between Russian President Vladimir Putin and former U.S. President and current Republican candidate Donald Trump. The news has sparked significant attention, especially given the ongoing political climate and Trump’s previous remarks on his relationship with the Kremlin leader.

Trump’s admiration for Putin is well-documented, and he even mentioned their “very good relationship” during a recent meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the U.S. These comments raised eyebrows, given the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

The controversy escalated after excerpts from journalist Bob Woodward’s upcoming book surfaced, alleging that Trump made personal gestures toward Putin during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The book claims Trump offered Putin a "bunch of Abbott Point of Care COVID test machines for his personal use" at a time when the global community was struggling with the pandemic. It also alleges that Trump held at least seven “private” phone calls with Putin after leaving office.

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In response, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov acknowledged part of the claims while dismissing others. Peskov confirmed that Russia did receive COVID test equipment from Trump’s administration, adding, “We also sent equipment at the beginning of the pandemic.” However, Peskov denied the allegations of private phone conversations between Trump and Putin, calling them “not true.”

Peskov went on to describe the reports as a “typical bogus story” aimed at influencing the U.S. political landscape ahead of elections. He suggested that these claims were crafted to add to the pre-election drama surrounding Trump’s re-election campaign.

Woodward’s book also claims that Putin urged Trump to keep their interactions confidential, allegedly warning Trump, “People will get mad at you, not me. They don’t care about me.”

Trump and his team have strongly denied the allegations in Woodward’s book. Trump, known for his blunt responses, dismissed the writer as “a storyteller. A bad one. And he’s lost his marbles.” His campaign communications director echoed these sentiments, stating, “None of these made-up stories in his trash book are true.”

These accusations could create complications for Trump’s campaign, especially in light of the ongoing focus on foreign policy and his handling of relations with Russia. The claims that Trump maintained private communication with Putin after leaving office could raise questions about his approach to diplomacy, particularly with a geopolitical adversary.

Trump’s handling of the pandemic also comes under scrutiny. During the early stages of COVID-19, his administration made headlines for sending medical supplies, including ventilators, to various nations, including Russia. However, the specifics regarding any test machines sent to Putin had not been previously disclosed.

While Trump’s team firmly denies these claims, the revelations in Woodward’s book have added yet another layer of controversy to Trump’s already contentious political legacy.