Kremlin Confirms Trump Sent COVID Tests to Putin Amid Early Pandemic Scarcity

 

The Kremlin has acknowledged that former President Donald Trump sent COVID-19 tests to Russian President Vladimir Putin during the initial stages of the pandemic, as detailed in Bob Woodward's recent book. This revelation sheds light on the behind-the-scenes exchanges that took place between the U.S. and Russia when medical supplies were in short supply.

Dmitry Peskov, Putin's spokesperson, confirmed Woodward's account during a press briefing on Thursday. Peskov explained that various countries were attempting to support each other amidst the pandemic, noting, “We sent a supply of ventilator units to the U.S., they sent these tests to us.” He emphasized that these exchanges occurred during a time when testing supplies were “rare items.” According to Woodward's report, Putin urged Trump to keep the transaction confidential, fearing backlash: “I don’t want you to tell anybody because people will get mad at you.”

In addition to the COVID tests, Woodward's book also mentions that Trump and Putin maintained a dialogue, speaking up to seven times since 2021, including conversations following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. However, Peskov disputed the claim about the number of phone calls, stating that they “didn’t happen.”

The latest revelations from Woodward, a prominent journalist known for uncovering the Watergate scandal, provide insights into Trump's relationships with foreign leaders. His new book, War, primarily focuses on the Biden administration while exploring significant global issues, including Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Despite the ongoing investigations and controversies surrounding Trump, including his recent felony convictions, his support among his political base remains steadfast. Analysts believe that these revelations about his ties to Putin are unlikely to diminish his popularity among supporters, who have remained loyal despite multiple scandals.

In a separate issue, Peskov rejected claims made by Ken McCallum, head of MI5, regarding the activities of Russia's GRU military intelligence agency. McCallum asserted that the GRU was engaged in efforts to incite chaos in British and European cities, but Peskov dismissed these allegations as “absolutely unsubstantiated and unfounded.”