Former US President Donald Trump sent secretly tests of covid to the Russian president Vladimir Putin for his personal use as coronavirus devastated the world in 2020, says book by veteran journalist Bob Woodwardwho in his time was one of the discoverers of the Watergate scandal.
That’s what the newspaper says Washington Post in an article in which parts of the book are previewed Warwhich will be released on October 15. According to Woodward, Putin, terrified of the virus, accepted the supplies, but strived to avoid political repercussionsnot for him, but for his American counterpart, reports the Efe agency.
He warned Trump not to reveal that he had sent the rare medical equipment to Moscow. Putin, according to the book, told Trump: “I don’t want you to tell anyone about this because people will be angry with you, not me.” » Four years later, the personal relationship between Putin and the Republican presidential candidate has changed, although, according to WoodwardThey stayed in touch over the years..
So, at the beginning of 2024, the former president tasked an assistant move from office to Mar-a-Lagohis private club and residence in Florida, so he could have a private phone call with the Russian leader.
Anonymous Trump aide cited in book says Trump could have spoken to Putin up to seven times since leaving the White House in 2021.
These interactions between Trump and Putin, immersed in a war against Ukraine for more than two years, lead Woodward to conclude that Trump is worse that Richard Nixonwhose presidency was destroyed by the Watergate scandal revealed half a century ago by Woodward and his party colleague Washington Post, Carl Bernstein. “Trump was the most reckless and impulsive president in American history and he demonstrates the same character as a 2024 presidential candidate,” he underlines.
The Republican is one of the most critical figures of US aid to Ukraine because he believes European countries should pay the most for the costs of the conflict and His vision is that the two countries negotiateinstead of waiting for Vladimir Putin to be defeated.
If he wins the election, he said, he is willing to work toward a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine.
