Former President Donald Trump has reportedly spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin up to seven times since leaving the White House, with their most recent conversation taking place this year. These claims are detailed in journalist Bob Woodward’s upcoming book, “War,” which provides insight into the relationships between world leaders during the Biden and Trump administrations. The book reveals that Trump’s communication with Putin has continued as he prepares for another potential presidential bid and amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
One scene described in the book depicts Trump directing a senior aide to leave so he could have a private phone call with Putin at Mar-a-Lago. While Trump’s campaign did not respond to requests for comment on these conversations, they have been confirmed by an anonymous aide. Woodward’s book also sheds light on Trump’s previous actions, such as sending testing equipment to Putin during the pandemic and making claims about ending the Ukraine war if re-elected.
These revelations raise questions about how Trump would handle the Ukraine conflict if he were to win the presidency again, particularly in comparison to Vice President Kamala Harris’s stance on supporting Ukraine. Trump’s meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Trump Tower and comments about brokering a deal suggest a possible shift in foreign policy should he return to office.
Critics have frequently criticized Trump’s affinity for authoritarian leaders like Putin, with Trump himself praising Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as “genius.” The release of Woodward’s book just before the election adds another layer of scrutiny to Trump’s foreign policy approach and potential impact on U.S. relations with Ukraine.
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